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This Winter Wonderland cake


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Accredited Master Confectioner,
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For a complete tutorial of this beautiful cake by

Julie Bashore, visit www.icingimages.com

Letter from Jackie

from jackie
There are few events more exciting for a cake maker
(or any cake enthusiast!) than going to a competitive
decorating show. Cake shows are full of people
who think just like we do, and its always a great
opportunity to exchange tips and tricks and make
some new caking friends along the way. Ohand did I
mention the cakes? Competition cakes are a spectacle;
they represent laborious hours of love and dedication
put forth to make the best design possible. A few of
our staff members were lucky enough to attend the
Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show, and although some
of our readers were there in person, we thought it would
only be fair to share with you some of the incredible
cakes from the show. Some of these decorators were
new to the competitive scene, some were veterans, but
either way Id like to send along a big Cake Central
congratulations to everyone who participatedyou are
all an inspiration!
Sincerely,

cake central magazine

contents
50

in this issue
28

CAKES ACROSS AMERICA

32

Cake maker Wish List

New Mexico

34 feature

Revival: Rescuing a Desperate World
50 oklahoma State Sugar
Art show

Grand Prize Winner Flora Aghababyan,

114

Cake Central Awards, Cakes from the


Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show
111

112

International Desserts

Tembleque

112 Now & then


114

Ever wonder

Top Tier

34

115 feature

Pink Cake Box
140

Bonus Tutorial

Everyday Inspiration
145

Bonus Tutorial

Freehand Fondant Embroidery


148

Science of Baking

Cocoa Madness

140

the cakes
54 oklahoma state sugar
art show
130 Foliage fantasy

130

cake central magazine

contents
16

27

in every issue
6 letters from our readers

13

13 leftovers
Cake Scraps

16 Trendsetting

46

Modern Asian Inspired Cakes

41 tutorial

Buttercream Orchids

45

Web browsing

46 tutorial

Icing Images

109 Spotlight

Branka Jovanovic

124

122

Business of Cake

Building Effective Websites

124 strangely good

Guinness Molasses Cake

126

Cake Central Recipes

Orange Cranberry Cake


Pumpkin Cheesecake

152 living with a cake maker


153 cake makers list

109

155 supply shops list


156 buying guide

find this in the buying guide, page 156

126
4

cake central magazine

cakecentral.com member

contributors
magazine
CEO

Jackie Shaffer
COO

Heath Shaffer
President

Leanne Winslow
Design

Garit Reuble, CCS Printing


Photography

Debi Brim

Summer Stone

Debi Brim is a self-taught cake


designer and caterer who has
been making and designing cakes
for over 30 years. She recently
retired from her wedding cake and
catering business to devote more
time to her writing, consulting,
and speaking.
businessofcake@cakecentral.com

Summer Stone has a Masters in


Biochemistry and Biophysics from
Oregon State University and is
a self-taught cake maker. As a
stay-at-home mom, she continues to grow as a cake decorator,
combining her love of science
and cake art.

Misty Winesberry
Connie Riggio
MANAGING EDITOR

Robyn Broker
CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR

Katie Shuy
Letters to the Editor
editor@cakecentral.com
Subscription Orders
www.cakecentral.com/magazine
Advertising Inquiries
advertise@cakecentral.com
Wholesale Applications
wholesale@cakecentral.com
Printed by CCS Printing, Bellevue, WA
www.ccsprinting.net
To make submissions:
submissions@cakecentral.com

Anonymous Husband
This husband of a cake maker
prefers to remain anonymous to
keep his macho image intact and
to keep all his fingers and toes in
case his wife reads this. She can
wield a cake knife with the best
of them.
livingwith@cakecentral.com

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for errors in advertisements,


articles, photographs or illustrations. While an effort is made to ensure
the quality of the content and credibility of sources listed in the
magazine, Cake Central Magazine provides no warranty - expressed or
implied - and assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process published
in the magazine. Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for readers
misinterpretation of images in the magazine in such way that might
cause injury or damage. Examples of such misinterpretation might include the use of items that appear edible but are not, such as natural
flowers that might be poisonous, modeled sugar flowers that contain
wires, etc. The views and opinions of the authors or originators
expressed in the magazine do not necessarily state or reflect those
of Cake Central Magazine, its principals, executives, Board members,
advisors or affiliates.

cake central magazine

letters

from our readers

Thank you to all of you who have sent messages this month.
We love hearing what our readers have to say, and we encourage
you to keep sending us your feedback and impressions.
Send your letters to the Editor to editor@cakecentral.com.

I am ecstatic
about Cake
Central
Magazine!
Yowza! I got two
for my birthday,
and I actually
did a dance in
my living room
when I saw the
beautiful layouts
and pictures!
Thank you so
much.
Alicia W.

cake central magazine

I want to just
say how much
I love your
magazine. I have
started to see
more Canadians
in it, andas
a CanadianI
hope we can see
more of them in
the future!
Linda G.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH

A LITTLE LUCKS?
Edible Food Decorations and Decorating Ideas
The completely edible cake shown here was created
using Lucks Edible Image Embellishment decorations
applied to fondant plaques. Edible Shimmer Ribbons
decorations wrap around the cake. Lucks Liqua-Gel
Colors were mixed to achieve the vibrant teal icing shade.
Lucks sells directly to businesses. We also sell to
home decorators through distributors. For more
ideas or information, visit www.lucks.com.

Decorations you can eat!

Lucks Food
LUCKS
FOOD Decorating
DECORATINGCompany
COMPANY
800-426-9778 / 253-383-4815

www.lucks.com

www.facebook.com/lucks

Edible Image, Dec-Ons, and Print-Ons are registered trademarks of The Lucks Company. The Lucks Company 2010.
All of Lucks manufactured products are made in the USA in FDA inspected and registered facilities and are Orthodox Union Kosher certified.

Book Review Satin Ice Sugar Craft

satin ice
sugar craft

ffffff
ffffff

he leading commercial producer of rolled


fondant icing in North America, Satin
Fine Foods, Inc. has recently announced
their publication of Satin Ice Sugar Craft, a
pictorial book authored by cake designer,
Mercedes Strachwksy. A collaboration of Strachwkys
talent and the commercial success of Satin Fine
Foods, this book both highlights Strachwksys worldclass talent with sugar art and provides numerous
techniques, recommended tools, and inspirational
photos. The directions and corresponding photos
that appear throughout the book are concise and
allow each cake designer the creative freedom to
apply the listed techniques to their own unique style.
Additionally, the book (and particularly the section
devoted to wedding cake design) provides helpful
and creative ideas for displaying cakes. Satin Fine
Foods practical color mixing guide is also featured in
the book. The guide, located conveniently near the
back, instructs the decorator how to mix colors using
the pre-colored Satin Ice Rolled Fondant. This book is
not designed in a typical tutorial format, and if youre
looking for detailed written instructions it may not be
for you. However, Satin Ice Sugar Craft is inspirational
and sure to please any experienced cake enthusiast
wanting to expand their knowledge of fondant icing.
Visit satinfinefoods.com for more information.

cake central magazine

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cake central magazine

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Winner will receive the cover
and a feature spread
in the distinguished 2011
wedding cake issue

With 30 years of experience in the


cake industry, Alan is an honors
graduate from the Culinary
Institute of America and the
Owner of Global Sugar Art, LLC.

Marina Sousa
Food Network renowned
champion, decorator
extraordinaire, and
Owner of Just Cake.

Mike McCarey
An award-winning master cake
sculptor and the Executive
Pastry Chef and Owner of
Mikes Amazing Cakes.

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cake central
magazine
open to u.s. residents
only
>>>11

So what is the Wedding Cake of the Year Contest?


Cake Central Magazine is proud to announce the first annual Wedding Cake of the Year Contest! The winning cake maker will receive $2,000 worth of
prizes, and their cake will be on the cover of the 2011 Wedding Cake Issue. Additionally, all the finalists will receive certificates and will be featured
in the 2011 Wedding Cake Issue. Because the winning cakes will be included in the magazine, we ask that all submissions are photographed printquality, and all criteria are met. We truly hope you take this opportunity to put your best into a wedding creation that is both beautiful and original.
See below for all official rules. Good luck, and we look forward to seeing the designs you create!

Cake Central Magazine Wedding Cake Contest Rules


HOW TO ENTER:
Mail in a completed entry form from cakecentral.com/
weddingcakeoftheyear and photo CD to:
Cake Central Media Corp.
1145 Broadway STE 1010
Tacoma, WA 98402
Entries by mail must be postmarked by 12/31/2010.
Entries submitted by any other method will not be
accepted or considered. Entries will be accepted from
9:00am (PST) 08/01/2010 until 11:59pm (PST) 12/31/2010.
Entries that are lost, late, misdirected, garbled, or incompletely received, for any reason, including by reason of
hardware, software, browser, or network failure, malfunction, congestion, or incompatibility at the web site or
elsewhere, will not be eligible.
WHO MAY ENTER: Contest is open to individual legal
residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or
older. One entry per person. Entries must be created and
submitted by individuals only. No teams or group work is
permitted. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. Each entry must
be of a wedding cake with a minimum of 18 inches in
height. Everything visible must be edible. Wires, supports
or any other non-edible material may not be visible in
the submission photographs. Entries must consist of the
completed contest entry form, required photographs,
and a 150-200 word description of tools, ingredients, and
techniques used in the creation and production of the
cake. Entries that do not meet the prescribed qualifications will be immediately disqualified.
PHOTOGRAPH REQUIREMENTS: Each entry must include
all of the following:
1 straight-on photo of entire completed cake entry
suitable for presentation in Cake Central Magazine.

3 in-progress photos. Cake maker must be recognizable in all three photos.

25% completed cake


50% completed cake
75% completed cake
Minimum of 2 close-up photographs of detailed work
on cake such as sugar flowers, piping, and detail work.
1 photograph of completed cake entry with cake
maker holding a yard stick beside the cake to prove
size requirements.
The photographs must be in color. Professional or studio
photographs are eligible. Photographs submitted must
be in JPEG format, 300 dpi, and a minimum of 8.5 x 11
photo size. Photographs may not display any commercial/corporate advertising (including but not limited to
corporate logos, brand names, slogans, political, personal,
and religious statements) as determined by Cake Central
in its sole discretion. Each entry/photograph must be the
entrants original work that has not previously been published nor won a prize or award. Entries become the sole
property of Cake Central and none will be returned.
RIGHTS REGARDING ENTRIES: Cake Central reserves the
right to: (a) use entrants names and likenesses and publish all entries submitted, (b) alter, amend, edit, or change
entries prior to publication, and (c) use, publish, reproduce, alter, and amend for purposes of advertising and
trade without further compensation, unless prohibited
by law. Cake Central reserves the right, at its discretion, to
modify, adapt, or reproduce the photo in full, or to crop

12

cake central magazine

the photo for reproduction. The copyright in any submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry in
this contest constitutes entrants irrevocable, perpetual
permission and consent, without further compensation
or attribution, to use the entry and the entrants name
and city and state for editorial, advertising, commercial,
and publicity purposes by Cake Central and/or others
authorized by Cake Central, in any and all media now in
existence or hereinafter created, throughout the world, for
the duration of the copyright in the entry.
JUDGING: Eligible entries received during the entry period
will be judged by a panel of judges comprised of professional decorators selected by Cake Central. The panel will
determine the finalists, and from among the finalists the
panel shall select one (1) grand prize winner. Judging
criteria shall be within the sole discretion of the judges,
but may include such criteria as overall appearance of the
cake, creativity of cake design, and difficulty or complexity
of cake decoration. The panels decisions are final.
WINN ERS: Grand Prize Winner will be notified by email by
May 2, 2011. Winners name and entry will be published
in the Spring 2011 wedding cake special edition of Cake
Central Magazine and will be available at www.cakecentral.com after May 2, 2011. To obtain the winners name
via regular mail, send a separate, stamped, self-addressed
envelope to Cake Central Media Corp. 1145 Broadway
Plaza, Suite 1010 Tacoma, WA 98402, (253) 353-2504 to be
received by 11/30/2010.
PRIZES & APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES: (1) Grand Prize
Package valued at $2,000. Details to be posted online
at www.CakeCentral.com as details become available.
All prizes valued in U.S. Dollars. Prizes consist of only the
items specifically listed as part of the prize. Prize package
is not redeemable for cash.
GENERAL RULES: Open only to legal residents of the 50
United States and the District of Columbia who are 18
years of age or older as of date of entry. Contest is subject
to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is
void where prohibited by law. Employees of Cake Central
Media Corp, its affiliates, advertising, promotion, and
internet agencies and their immediate family members
and/or those living in the same household of each are not
eligible. Participation constitutes full and unconditional
agreement to these Official Rules and Cake Centrals and
judges decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to this contest. All entries submitted become
the sole property of Cake Central and none will be returned. Potential finalists will be required to complete an
Affidavit of Eligibility certifying that the submission was
completed by the entrant, the entry submitted is entrants
own original work, the entrant holds all rights to the entry,
entry does not violate the rights of any other person or
entity, the entry has not been previously published, entry
has not won a previous prize or award, and that entrant
has followed the Official Rules of the Contest. Additionally,
potential finalists will be required to complete a release of
liability, prize acceptance form, and, if legally permissible,
publicity release. Grand prize winner will be required to
complete an IRS form W-9 as appropriate. All documents
must be completed and returned within ten (10) days
of attempted delivery of same. Noncompliance within
this time period or return of any prize/prize notification
as undeliverable will result in disqualification and an
alternate will be selected. Entries may not contain profanities or obscenities and may not in any way disparage any
persons or organizations. Cake Central and judges reserve
the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any entry
for any reason, including without limitation that, in Cake
Centrals or the judges opinion, an entry refers, depicts,

or in any way reflects negatively upon Cake Central, the


contest, or any other person or entity, or does not comply
with these requirements or these Official Cake Central
Magazine Wedding Cake Contest Rules Rules. Entries must
be suitable for publication in the sole determination of
judges and/or Cake Central. The prize is not transferable.
No substitution or transfer of prize by the winner is permitted. All taxes and/or duties, if applicable, are the sole
responsibility of winner. Cake Central reserves the right
to substitute prize of equal or greater value. By accepting
prize, winner agrees to hold Cake Central, its respective
shareholders, directors, officers, employees, and assigns
harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out
of use of prize. Winners assume all liability for any injury or
damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by participation
in this promotion or use or redemption of any prize. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Cake Central
and its affiliates and assigns to use winners name and/
or likeness for purposes of advertising, trade, and editorial (print, online, and broadcast media) without further
compensation, unless prohibited by law. Cake Central
and its affiliates and assigns are not responsible for any
typographical or other error in the printing, the offering,
or announcement of any prize or in the administration
of the promotion. In the event there is a discrepancy or
inconsistency between disclosures or other statements
contained in any promotional materials and the terms
and conditions of the Official Rules, the Official Rules shall
prevail, govern, and control. In no event will more than
the stated number of prizes be awarded.
NOTICE TO ALL ENTRANTS: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION
OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN
ATTEMPT BE MADE, CAKE CENTRAL RESERVES THE RIGHT
TO SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW.
Cake Central is not responsible for faulty, incorrect, or
mis-transcribed transmissions, incorrect announcements
of any kind, technical hardware, or software failures of
any kind including any injury or damage to any persons
computer related to or resulting from participating in or
experiencing any materials in connection with the promotion, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed,
incomplete, garbled, or delayed computer transmission
that may limit a users ability to participate in the promotion. Cake Central reserves the right to cancel or modify
the promotion if in Cake Centrals sole determination
the contest is not capable of completion as planned, or
if fraud, misconduct, or technical failures destroy the integrity of the contest, or if a computer virus, bug, or other
technical problem corrupts the administration or security
of the contest as determined by Cake Central. In the event
the contest is terminated, a notice will be posted online.
Any damage made to Cake Centrals website will be the
responsibility of the authorized email account holder of
the email address submitted at the time of entry. Proof of
submitting entries will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Cake Central. Any use of robotic, automatic, programmed, or the like methods of participation will void
all such entries by such methods. Cake Central reserves
the right to prohibit the participation of an individual if
fraud or tampering is suspected or if the individual fails to
comply with any requirement of participation as stated
herein or with any provision in these Official Rules. To the
maximum extent permitted by law, Cake Central reserves
the right to change these Official Rules at any time.
SPONSOR: Cake Central Media Corp. 1145 Broadway,
Suite 1010 Tacoma, WA 98402, (866) 878-3133.

Leftovers Cake Scraps

cake scraps
Once a cake has been shaped and cut to its design perfection,
you are left with a beautifully decorated cakeand a random
assortment of scraps and crumbs of cake that have been sliced
and diced along the way. Besides the obvious solution (picking at
the scraps with your fingers until all are devoured), weve come up
with some ideas of how you can put those pieces to creative use!

Cake Balls

cake central magazine

13

Leftovers Cake Scraps

Cake Balls

Break up leftover cake crumbs with your hands,


then add a binding ingredient such as frosting or
coffee creamer until the crumbs will form into a ball
shape. Roll the cake balls smaller than a golf ball.
(Note: Add the liquid component a little at a time.
If they are too moist they will not stay together.)
For cake ball consistency, you may want to use a
small scooper to form the balls. Place the balls on a
parchment paper lined cookie sheet, and put them
in the freezer for 30 minutes. Dip the chilled cake
balls in melted chocolate or candy coating, and
embellish them as desired. Store, refrigerated, for up
to one week, and serve at room temperature.
White Chocolate Marshmallows with Cake Crumbs
White Chocolate Marshmallows
with Cake Crumbs
Photo:connieriggiophotography.com

1 BAG MARSHMALLOWS
1 CUP DRIED CAKE CRUMBS
1 POUND WILTON BLUE CANDY MELTS
1 TEASPOON SHORTENING

Collect cake crumbs in a small, shallow bowl. Set


aside.
In a small saucepan, heat the Candy Melts and
shortening over low heat until melted, stirring
occasionally.
Remove the saucepan from heat.

Using lollipop sticks, skewer a marshmallow and


submerge in the Candy Melts mixture.

Coat the foot of the marshmallow in cake crumbs


by dipping the end in the cake crumbs.
Lie completed marshmallow on a wax paper
covered tray.

Repeat for desired amount of marshmallows.


When finished, place the tray in the refrigerator
for 30 minutes.

14

cake central magazine

Leftovers Cake Scraps

Bread Pudding

Bread Pudding

8 OUNCES CAKE SCRAPS


2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER, MELTED
4 EGGS, BEATEN
2 CUPS MILK
3/4 CUP WHITE SUGAR
1 TEASPOON GROUND CINNAMON
1 TEASPOON VANILLA

Preheat oven to 350F.

Break up cake scraps into small pieces (if not


already done so), and sprinkle in the bottom of
greased ramekins.
Slowly drizzle melted butter over the cake.

Combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and


vanilla in a medium mixing bowl, and beat until
well-mixed.

Pour the mixture over cake, and press with a fork


until cake is completely covered and soaking.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top bounces
back with tapped lightly.

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any attempt
to create or replicate any of the Cake Central techniques, cakes, projects
or recipes. Desired results may not be achieved due to variations in
ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques, typographical errors
or omissions, or personal skill level.

cake central magazine

15

Trendsetting Modern Asian Inspiration

modern Asian
inspired cakes

The Asian continent is rich in ancient


tradition, as different dynasties and
civilizations have reigned and fallen
for thousands of years. The wide
assortment of religious practices,
historical sites, and cultural
customs gives each Asian
country its own unique
personalization and
identity. In keeping
with the conventional
continental aesthetics,
while adding a touch
of modernity, these
cakes are inspired
by the particular
beauty of Asian
artifacts, both
old and new.

16

cake central magazine

Photo: Jessica Walker,porcelainpoet.daportfolio.com


Model: Elizabeth Maiden
Makeup & Wardrobe: J-Chans Designs

The Couture Cakery


Jasmine Clouser
Camp Hill, PA
couturecakery.net

cake central magazine

17

The Couture Cakery


Jasmine Clouser
Camp Hill, PA
couturecakery.net

18

cake central magazine

Tessa Uitvlugt
Veendam, Netherlands
Tessje

cake central magazine

19

Jene Nato (Rylan Ty)


Las Vegas. NV
artandappetite.com
rylan

20

cake central magazine

Jene Nato (Rylan Ty)


Las Vegas. NV
artandappetite.com
rylan

cake central magazine

21

Michelle Goldberg
Newton, MA
Photo By: Ticio Nyikos

22

cake central magazine

Michelle Goldberg
Newton, MA
Photo By: Ticio Nyikos

cake central magazine

23

The People's Cake


Kaysie Lackey
Seattle, WA
thepeoplescake.com
seattlecakes
Photo By Misty Winesberry

24

cake central magazine

Jacques Fine European Pastries


Suncook, NH
jacquespastries.com

cake central magazine

25

Jacques Fine European Pastries


Suncook, NH
jacquespastries.com

26

cake central magazine

Odds of a child becoming a top fashion designer: 1 in 7,000


Odds of a child being diagnosed with autism: 1 in 110

Some signs to look for:

No big smiles or other joyful


expressions by 6 months.

No babbling by
12 months.

No words by
16 months.

To learn more of the signs of autism, visit autismspeaks.org


2010 Autism Speaks Inc. "Autism Speaks" and "It's Time To Listen" & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

Cakes Across America New Mexico

new
mexico

28

cake central magazine

Cakes Across America New Mexico

The Land of Enchantment welcomes Cakes Across


America into a couple of its exceptional cake shops to
explore their histories, unique specializations, and how
theyve become regional specialists.
ABC CAKE SHOP
Few small businesses have been around to see different
generations of families passing through their doors,
enjoying their delicacies. ABC Cake Shop of Albuquerque is one of those few. Ever sinceit openedin 1972,
the shop has served the whole of the Albuquerque
area,not to mention satisfiedthousands of taste buds!
After starting at a strip mall in theUptown region,
ABCmoved to a larger space across the street in 1987
by its original owner, Robert Montano. Montano operated the shop until it was bought in April 2007 by Paul
& Edwina Bendinskas, the son and daughter of commercial bakers.
Currently, the shop is a baking force to be reckoned with.
Bendinskas states, The bakery serves customers in the
Albuquerque area the best in cookies, cakes, cupcakes,
and quick breads.Thesequick breadsare certainly intriguing, as they include unique flavors such as cinnamon
and green chile. The shop is famous, though, for what
else? Cakes.Its increasing number of orders requires an
incredible amount of labor, exemplary of the decadence
of the creations being produced.ABC Cake Shop boasts
31 employees, many who have been with the business for
more than 10 years. We also have two certified decorators
and a certified baker on our staff,saysBendinskas.
Although the thought of 31 employees may seemoutrageous, the number of cakes the shop creates and
delivers is even more daunting. In 2009, the shop made
over 40,000 orders, and this past June the bakery made
and delivered 27 wedding cakesin the last weekend.
Understandably, the shop is exclusive to the cake and
dessertspecialty. Bendinskas says,We dont do many
of the things that some bakeries docoffee, sandwiches, or catering.This moreconcentrated focus, however,
allows the bakery to continually improve upon their
cake craft.
Living in New Mexico, as most chefs and bakers would
agree, presents a considerable challengebecause of

cake central magazine

29

Cakes Across America New Mexico

the altitude. Along with adjusting baking times and


adding flour, ABC describes the other adjustments
that must be made due to theclimate.The shop was
remodeled to replace our old evaporative coolers with
refrigerated air. Now, we dont have to deal with the
humidity that an evaporative cooler puts into the air,
and then having to take the cakes out into a much
dryer environment,Bendinskas adds.
This remodel not only made the bakery morecomfortable for the cakes, but for the employees as well. Along
with the new refrigeration, Bendinskas added new
wood shelving, refrigerated display cases, a stained
concrete floor, and new lighting, all of which have
given the shop a newer, up-to-date look.
Bendinskas credits the renovation of the bakery as
reasoning behind the increase in the shops sales. Sales
are up 37 percent this year, speakingto not just the
aesthetics of the shop, butits ability to fillthousands
of orders with quality products.
Because the majority of clients are women, the shop
marketstothe female clientele. This does not mean,
however, that the guys are out of the picture.Interestingly, 50 percent of our order pick-ups are male. We do
a lot of wedding cakes, so we have a presence at wedding shows, and its there that the brides are definitely
our primary audience,says Bendinskas.
As stated previously, ABC has delivered its services
and expertise toAlbuquerqueans fordecades.We
have been fortunate to be the bakery of choice for
multiple generations. In fact, many of ABCs customers grew up coming in the shop with their parents
and grandparents, and now bring their children and
grandchildren.The location of the shopaddsan overall mom-and-pop feel, butthis is not to say that the
bakerydoesnt handle some more ritzy orders. ABC has
had a taste of Hollywood flare, as it is a favorite of the
bustling New Mexico film industry.
The bakery has been able to deliver desserts aplenty to film sets. Bendinskas describes the exposure
thebakery has received through the film business:
We met Joe Pesci on the set of Love Ranch when we
delivered a life size cake for a New Years party scene.
And weve been able to meet other celebrities when
theyre in town filming movies and TV, and wevedeliveredcakes and cupcakestoKevin Costner on Swing
Vote and Jennifer Lopez in Bordertown.
Whether or not the customer is a celebrity, ABC Cake
Shop is proud to deliver and serveitsgoods. Bendinskassays,For me as the owner, the amazement and
awe that people express when we deliver their cakes is
truly the most enjoyable part. All the compliments we
get about the quality of cakes, how spectacular they
look, make all the hard work worthwhile.
ABC gives back to the community thatit isso grateful
for as well. Recently, the shopfilled an order for 10,000
iced and individually bagged cookies for a local hospital. The bakery isready and willing to do orders of this
magnitude, even in addition to the endless stream of
wedding and party cake orders they receive every day.
It is with this type of large-scale commitment that the
bakery continues to have its lasting success.

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cake central magazine

Cakes Across America New Mexico

TREE HOUSE PASTRY SHOP AND CAF


Green food service has become increasingly more popular
throughout the country in the push for more sustainable ways
of living. The practice includes using locally grown products and
more organic ingredients as a means of preserving energy and
cutting back on mass production of goods. One such shop that has
advocated for this way of life is Santa Fes Tree House Pastry Shop
and Caf. Believe it or not, a delicious, environmentally-conscious
bakery can be located in the desert, and this shop is out to prove
that taste and sustainability can and should go hand-in-hand.
Tree House has been operating for over four years as a vegetarian,
organic shop that not only serves wonderful food, but caters to
those who are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free. Owner and chef of
Tree House, Maria Bustamante-Bernal, describes how their exquisite
desserts and cakes are made with organic ingredients through
sustainable production. We are known for our commitment to
local, organic food and for producing dishes and desserts that are
truly exceptional and of the highest quality. The shop decreases
their baking environmental impact by making everything from
scratch in small batches and buying nearly all their ingredients from
local sources including local grown wheat, eggs, milk, and fruits.
Its not just the food that follows this green mentality, either.
Tree House is committed to being as green as possible by
being in a sustainable building with water catchments and solar
energy, composting all of our compostable waste, and keeping
our community in mind with every decision we make. Such a
commitment toward reducing their impact while also being wary of
the community around them has made Tree House an institution,
and if their sustainability efforts arent enough, their products speak
for themselves.
As the only providers of alternative wedding cakes in northern New
Mexico, Tree House has built a reputation as a prime source of custom
cakes and delicious desserts. Our brownies and cupcakes are considered
some of the best in the Southwest, and our wedding cakes taste as good
as they look, says Maria. Recently, Gourmet Magazine has raved about Tree
House as one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in America, and they
highlight the shops emphasis on quality over quantity.
Being located in New Mexico does present some difficulties at
times. Our weather is a bit chaotic, being very dry most the year
and then very humid during the rainy months. It wreaks havoc
with French macaroons! explains Maria. As with any climate
temperaments, the shop has learned to adapt; Once you get the
hang of it, its easy as pie. Maria is able to count on her staff to rally
and stay composed when anything should go wrong, including
delivery malfunctions and kitchen slipups.
Tree Houses emphasis on supporting the community has not only
made a positive environmental impact, but on the clients they
reach out to as well. Most of our clients are simply looking for a
product that looks wonderful and tastes great, says Maria. She
describes how the individual attention and care their customers are
given help them to feel that their particular celebration is unique
and special. Tree House has great reverence for the city it caters to,
and the privilege of working in an area with rich cultural history
makes their surroundings, a truly enchanted place.
Among the numerous impressive qualities of Tree House, perhaps
what stands out more than anything is their humility and customer
appreciation. Maria describes, There is so much about our place
that is special, and I think that I am so fortunate to do what I do.
How lucky are we? We get to make cake all day! The appreciation
of their craft strengthens their commitment to helping the
environment, and this combination sets this Santa Fe bakery apart
as a smart and delicious culinary trendsetter.

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cake central magazine

Revival
revival

rescuing a
desperate world

Its a movement that has swept over every part


of society, and its all encompassed by one simple,
iconic color: GREEN. This one word has generated
an unparalleled national call for sustainability.
Every aspect of the way we live our lives has been
called into question, forcing us to admit how the
small actions we take are negatively impacting our
environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle, or the
three Rs, are being practiced everywhere, all in
the hopes of changing our consumption and usage
habits entirely.
Mainstream amenities, such as disposable coffee cups and plastic grocery
bags, are being replaced by thermoses and reusable shopping bags. A
multitude of businesses are trying to make these -at times- inconvenient
changes more practical. The food industry is especially affected by the green
movement because of its massive production, consumption, and waste
habits. The industry is now feeling pressure to change its protocol in the way
sources are handled. For this issue, Cake Central has investigated the changes that can be made in baking, in addition to general lifestyle practices. We
are thankful to Bleeding Heart Bakery in Chicago, IL and Pearl Bakery in Portland, OR, both pioneer sustainable bakeries, who have shared their advice
and promise of a more eco-friendly food industry.

cake central magazine

35

Photography: Laura Ferreira


Model - Anya Li

reduce

Reducing is a process that prevents waste from occurring in the first place.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the past 50 years the
amount of waste created by each individual has nearly doubled from 2.7 to 4.5
pounds every day, which is approximately 1,600 pounds per year. The goal of
reducing is to manufacture, purchase, and use goods that help limit how much
trash is created.
Garden Friendly
Teresa from Pearl Bakery says that one of the easiest ways to reduce the
amount of trash you create is by composting. Yard trimmings and food
residuals make up 26 percent of landfills that we could otherwise use in
our own gardens.Vegetable and fruit peels, eggshells, and coffee grinds
create growth enhancing natural fertilizer for your garden and patio
plants. Furthermore, composting not only reduces the amount of trash
you accumulate, but it is also beneficial to your own soil. If you dont
have a garden, Bleeding Heart Bakery recommends, Take your compostable debris to a friend or local community garden.
Turn Em Off
Reducing waste doesnt just mean cutting down on trash. If you minimize
the amount of energy you use, you wont only be saving natural resources that generate electricity, but youll save cash as well. We keep a lot of
our lights off, so we save a ton of money on energy consumption, quotes

36

cake central magazine

Bleeding Heart Bakery. This practice reduces the amount of energy used
in electricity. In turn, less coal is used- preserving a natural resource and
eliminating excess pollution. Another means of saving on energy costs
in a bakery is by baking several batches of goods at once to cut down
excess oven time.
Get in Gear
In terms of reducing pollution, Pearl Bakery employees have put their
business practices (and their feet) into gear by switching from driving to
bicycling. Many of our employees bike to work, even through the long,
rainy winters. The bakery also offers a biker commuter benefit, in which
bikers receive a bonus of up to $20 a month in bike related repairs and
purchases. Offering incentives to your customers who bike instead of
drive is a great way to encourage people to stop by on their ride through
town. Biking reduces air pollution otherwise caused by driving, and its a
great way to stay active.

With populations increasing worldwide, we must


take care of the air we breathe, the soil we use to
grow our food, and the water we drink from. This
must grow into a wide spread collective choice and
individual action to prevent further unnecessary
impact on the environment.
Teresa, Pearl Bakery

reuse

The principle of reusing goods goes hand-in-hand with recycling. Consider


the amount of times you throw away a jam jar that could be used to store
another product, a scrap of paper that could become a shopping list, or an old
microwave that could be taken to a thrift store.
Be Creative
There are countless products that, before being heaved into
the dumpster, could easily be used again.
As a cake maker, there is a fairly common product that few
realize can be reused in different ways- cake! Cake has a lot
of waste, and there are so many ways you can use the scraps,
says Bleeding Heart. So next time youre sculpting a threedimensional masterpiece, and youre shaving away cake pieces
bit by bit, consider the alternative desserts that could come
from those scraps. This same principle can be applied to egg
yolks you separate from your egg whites. If you take a look in
the Leftovers section of this issue, weve provided a few recipes
for how to use spare cake scraps.
Eliminating Quick Fixes
Another productive way to both reuse and reduce is to substitute one-time-use materials for things that can be reused
over and over again. One-time-use plastic, or other resources
that are easily disposable, gathers in landfills and accumulates
incredibly quickly. Think of a family picnic, where plastic forks,
spoons, knives, and paper plates were used by many and then
thrown away. This is a waste expense that can easily be substituted with real utensils, or even compostable versions.

Pay Then Save


Stop paying for water by buying a quality, reusable water bottle. Several coffee
shops, including Starbucks, offers discounts when customers use their own mug
or thermos, which provides a monetary incentive to eliminate plastic cup usage.
Because there is no substitution for the convenience of plastic and paper disposables, companies are now creating biodegradable versions of plastic wear. I think
disposables are very important. It is not much more money to provide biodegradable disposables in place of Styrofoam, etc. says Bleeding Heart. If paying more
isnt an option, consider saving all that plastic you use on a daily basis and reuse
it! One water bottle can go a long way, and it can do a lot of damage when thrown
away and left to sit for years in a garbage dump.
Substitutions and Cutbacks
Bleeding Heart advocates for the use of Silpats as substitutes for lining cake pans
with parchment paper. Choose to invest in Silpats, which will ultimately create no
waste and cut your cost of continually buying parchment paper. If you choose not
to invest in a Silpat, another way to switch is to reuse your old parchment paper.
Certainly, some projects may ruin the integrity of the paper, but if youre making
cookies or just decorating goods, the parchment paper used in the process could
easily be wiped down and reused.
The concept of reusing your disposable goods can be applied not just to parchment paper and plastic bottles, but also to aluminum foil, plastic wrap, zipper top
bags, cardboard boxes, and almost anything else you can imagine.

cake central magazine

37

recycle

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cake central magazine

Photography: Koji Arboleda


Dress: Maura Isabel Rodriguez
Model: Ariel De Leon

Recycling. A mantra that has


been preached for years, and perhaps
one of the sustainability terms people
are most familiar with. Unfortunately,
recycling has still not been instituted
to the degree that it needs to be. Yes,
separating your plastics, glass, and
aluminum is progressive, but its only
the first step. By buying recycled
goods, using products made with
recycled materials, and supporting the
manufacturing of recyclables, there is
an incrementally positive impact on
the environment.
Practical Application
Now that recycling has become so prevalent, and making an effort
to participate is so practical, there is no excuse to not do so. Teresa
explains, So many systems are set up for recycling ease now that its
quite expected to have one in place. If you are unaware as to how your
city handles recycling, or how to recycle as a business, visit the Waste
Management Small Business webpage, which provides many helpful
tips on effective recycling. wm.com/small-business.jsp
Peer Pressure
If the environmental impact on your conscience is not enough to encourage you to recycle, perhaps the social pressure will. Like it or not, there
is a huge demand from both sustainability groups and everyday good
Samaritans requesting that manufacturers go green. The peer pressure
of recycling is on the rise, and any shop that doesnt recycle will eventually

feel the pressure from its employees and customers to do so. A business may
even lose customers who are making the choice to purchase only from sustainably responsible businesses, says Theresa. In the interest of maintaining
good PR in an eco-friendly world and eliminating your own carbon footprint,
recycling is not just helpful, but necessary.
Watch Before You Toss
Along the same lines as reusing disposable goods, its important to
consider how your careless trash-tosses are going to impact the landfill
they will eventually reach. There are many items that can, and should, be
recycled that you may not have thought of. For example, aerosol spray
cans, used for holding cooking spray, whipped cream, and air fresheners,
are often times thrown away even though theyre recyclable. When aerosol cans are thrown into landfills, they become a hazard because they are
still pressurized and could explode if exposed to high heat, says Teresa.
There are several other products that can be recycled that you may not
have previously considered, such as batteries, light bulbs, and even large
electronics that can be reused. Not sure if something youre throwing out
can actually be recycled? There are several online resources including the
WM website that can not only inform you of what can be recycled, but
how to go about doing it.

What encourages me to
stay eco-friendly? I see
absolutely no other way
to create a good life for
my children.

Michelle, Bleeding Heart Bakery

We live in a world that is being swallowed by the excess debris and trash
produced every day. There is a way to slow down this devastation and help
save our natural resources; it starts with easy acts such as buying a reusable
grocery bag, unplugging your appliances, and buying produce from a local
farmers market. These simple changes will ultimately help sustain the sources
from which our energy and goods originate.
Teresa quotes, A sustainable lifestyle is not only a choice to take care of
yourself in your immediate environment, but it impacts the air, land, and water
for people all over the world. Choosing this switch inspires others around you
to do the same, which keeps sustainable awareness growing and evolving.
Living a sustainable lifestyle is not only a part of positively impacting your
world today, but it is essential for establishing a life for future generations
to come. When treated as a fundamental necessity instead of an obstacle,
sustainability can become an infectious revolution, infiltrating our day-to-day
lives in a way that will maintain the beauty and vitality of our earth.

cake central magazine

39

alternatives to
Styrofoam cake dummies!

espite the convenience of using polystyrene foam rounds,


commonly known as Styrofoam, for making cake dummies, there are now more than enough reasons to rid
ourselves of the product all together. Yes, Styrofoam is one
of the least sustainable products around, and below are just
a few reasons why it is so harmful.

Non-Recyclable: Because Styrofoam is virtually weightless, it is incredibly


difficult to collect or reuse. It fills landfills because it is so difficult to break
down, and therefore many public recycling programs dont even accept
Styrofoam as a recyclable good.

Non-Biodegradable: Polystyrene foam is nearly indestructible, and it takes


hundreds of years for the polymer to break down. It is resistant to photolysis, or the breakdown of protons by a light source, meaning that the sun
cannot even break it down. Also, because it is so lightweight, incalculable
Styrofoam products end up in the build-ups of debris in the ocean.
Environmental Hazard: Styrofoam manufacturing initially included
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), highly volatile compounds which have been
banned due to their harsh effect on the ozone layer. CFCs were replaced
by more ozone friendly substitutes, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which
are types of organofluorinecompounds. However, HFCs are still powerful
greenhouses gases, now thought to have a big impact on climate change.

Styrofoam Alternatives

Sugar Round

Not only can you help protect the environment by


swapping out your Styrofoam cake dummies, you
could also end up saving a few bucks as well! If you
are currently stocked with Styrofoam dummies, be
sure to reuse, reuse, reuse. But if youre ready for
an alternative, here are a few ideas:
Cereal Treat Dummies

Edible Dummy

Besides being a delicious morning staple, cereal


can act as an incredibly durable and practical
building tool. With the proper maintenance and
cleaning, a cereal cake dummy could be used
multiple times. The construction is so simple that
you can easily remake the dummies each time
you need one, meaning you have some flexibility
in terms of shape and size. The best part? Cereal
is 100% decomposable, meaning you waste
much less by disposing of a cereal-based dummy
than by trashing an artificial one.

Tired of the messy and tedious process of carving


Styrofoam? Well, this edible cake dummy
makes sculpting much easier, and although its
entirely made of food products, it will last up to
six months. You will probably already have these
ingredients in your kitchen, which will shorten
the waiting time of ordering a faux cake, and
will lessen the environmental effect of distance
shipping. Although this edible dummy makes for
a logical substitute for real cake, it may not be the
best idea to actually serve this to customers!

What You Need:


7 CUPS RICE CEREAL

What You Need:


12 EGGS, SEPARATED

10 OUNCES REGULAR SIZE MARSHMALLOWS

3 CUPS SUGAR

3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER OR MARGARINE

6 CUPS FLOUR

Pulse cereal in a food processor until it is a fine,


grainy texture.
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter,
and then add the marshmallows. Stir until melted.
Add the pulsed rice cereal, stir until well combined.
In a lined cake pan, firmly press down the mixture.
Make sure that it fills the entire pan and that it is
packed tightly on all sides.
Allow to cool completely, and then remove from
pan.

40

cake central magazine

1 TEASPOON SALT
Beat yolks and 1/2 the sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat whites and remaining sugar until glossy, stiff
peaks form.
Sift flour and salt.
Gently fold whites into the yolks in 3 parts.
Fold flour into eggs in 3 parts.
Bake at 350F until firm.
*Will last up to 6 months.

Sugar is a crucial ingredient in all things cake,


and now it can be used for your non-edible
cake creations as well. By using a biodegradable
sticky substance, rice glue, as the molding agent
for sugar rounds, you can create very tough,
sustainable dummies. These sugar rounds,
though heavy, are designed for multiple uses, and
once you make them they can be broken down
and cleaned again and again for your various
faux-cake creations.
What You Need:
RICE GLUE
GRANULATED WHITE SUGAR
Rice Glue
1 CUP STICKY RICE
3 to 4 CUPS WATER, MORE IF NEEDED
Combine ingredients in a large saucepan and bring
to a boil. Lower the temperature to simmer, and let
cook for 45 minutes.
The consistency should begin to look oatmeal-like.
If the mixture still looks like rice, add more water.
Once the consistency is right, remove from heat
and allow the mixture to cool.
Run the mixture through a strainer to remove the
larger pieces.
Store in the refrigerator.
Will yield 2 cups rice glue
Sugar Round
Combine the sugar and rice glue in a medium size
bowl, about 1:2 ratio glue to sugar.
Pack the mixture in a cake pan, adding as necessary
to fill.
Allow to dry. Once dry, the round should slide out.

Tutorial Buttercream Orchids

buttercream
orchids

Tired of using gumpaste to create your


decorative flowers? Sure, gumpaste makes for
some beautiful floral dcor, but what happens
if youre short on time, or you have a no
gumpaste request?
Have no fear, because Lucinda Larson, The Icing Diva, has created a lovely substitute: Buttercream orchids. Her step-by-step method of creating these delicate blooms
proves how buttercream can provide an impressive amount of lifelike detail.

Photography:connieriggiophotography.com

cake central magazine

41

Tutorial Buttercream Orchids

TOOLS:

MATERIALS:

PIPING BAGS OR PARCHMENT


TRIANGLES

DECORATORS BUTTERCREAM,
SEE RECIPE BELOW

PIPING TIPS #127 and #3

VIOLET GEL COLOR


ELECTRIC PINK GEL COLOR
AVOCADO GEL COLOR
YELLOW GEL COLOR
PINK GEL COLOR
PURPLE GEL COLOR

Decorators Buttercream
2 POUNDS POWDERED SUGAR
2 CUPS SHORTENING
1/4 TO 1/2 CUP CANNED, EVAPORATED MILK (FULL FAT)
1 TEASPOON CLEAR VANILLA
DASH SALT

Beat shortening until fluffy. Add powdered sugar,


milk, vanilla, and salt.

42

cake central magazine

Tutorial Buttercream Orchids

Piping Orchids
Step 1
In a piping bag, fitted with a #127
piping tip, fill by striping with
purple buttercream at the skinny
end of the tip, and then filling the
rest with white buttercream.

Step 2
Pipe three pillows as the base for
dorsal sepal and the lateral sepals
spaced at 6:00, 10:00, and 2:00.

Step 3
Starting at the center, pipe a leafshaped petal over each pillow with
the fat end toward the center.

Step 4

Pipe 2 additional pillows for the


ruffled petals at 4:00 and 8:00.

Step 5
Beginning in the center, use a
zigzag motion with your wrist to
pipe a ruffled petal on the 2 pillows.
The fat end of the piping tip should
be in the center.

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cake central magazine

43

Tutorial Buttercream Orchids

Step 6
At 12:00, pipe a large pillow to support the lip of
the orchid.

Step 7
Begin with the fat end of the piping tip in the
center, and use a zigzag motion to pipe a ruffled
petal (the lip) that sits high on the pillow.

Step 8
Pipe 2 straight, vertical petals at the center of
the lip.

Step 9
Heat a skewer in boiling water, and then dry it off.

Step 10
Between the 2 vertical petals on the lip, sculpt
the buttercream by rolling the skewer side-toside. This will form the throat.

Step 11
Using a #3 piping tip with yellow/orange
buttercream, pipe a column in the throat of the
orchid so it sticks out of the throat.
If you choose to pipe leaves, you may want to use
avocado green buttercream.

lucindas
tips

10

Buy a botanical book to see the flowers and their colors.


For more buttercream piping and basic buttercream
decorating, visit theicingdiva.com and check out her
DVD, Borders, Basics of Baking and Decorating.

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any


attempt to create or replicate any of the Cake Central techniques,
cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results may not be achieved due
to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques,
typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

44

cake central magazine

25

32

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any attempt to create or
replicate any of the Cake Central techniques, cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results
may not be achieved due to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools,
techniques, typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

11

Web Browsing Dorie Greenspan

in the kitchen &


on the road with Dorie
Never did a big-time food critic and culinary connoisseur feel
as personable and accessible as Dorie Greenspan in her blog,
doriegreenspan.com. The successful writer, cook, and all-around
food mastermind has created In the Kitchen and on the Road with
Dorie, a site detailing her experiences with food and different
recipes. Dorie is the renowned author of nine cookbooks and
five time winner of James Beard and IACP awards. Currently, she
contributes her writing to Parade and Bon Apptit, and she is
the food critic for the Louis Vuitton City Guide to New York. The
website describes her travels around the world, all of which are
centered on food as the hot topic. Her recipe section is packed
with different ideas, each compartmentalized by meal type.
The extensive catalogue of sweets, including Breakfast Treats,
Cookies, Pies and Tarts, and Ice Cream, Pudding, and Custards,
leaves the reader pining for a trip to the baking isle and a
countertop covered in flour. Her posts not only provide various
recipes, but also fun stories and information on particular treats.
This treasure trove of quality, easy-to-read tips and ideas brings
Dorie and her fondness for food right into your own kitchen.

Tutorial Icing Images

icing images
We've combined the innovative ideas of Icing Images and Sugar Veil products to demonstrate the possibilities they can bring to cake design. This Eiffel Tower cake, fit for
a Parisian-themed wedding, is just one example of how Icing Images can transform a
simple cake into an elegant, professional design.

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cake central magazine


Photography:connieriggiophotography.com

Tutorial Icing Images

3a

MATERIALS:

RULER

ICING IMAGES ICING SHEETS (APPROXIMATELY 12)

3 SKEWERS

FONDANT

GUM GLUE, OR WATER

SUGAR VEILCONFECTIONARY
ICING

PIZZA CUTTER

TOOLS:
ICING IMAGES GOLD LABEL
PRINTING SYSTEM
SCISSORS

SMALL PAINTBRUSH

SUGAR VEIL LACE MAT


CONFECTIONARY SPREADER
SHORTENING
CIRCLE CUTTER (1 INCH)
SCOTCH TAPE

Step 1
Prepare sugar veil according to the packaged directions.

Step 2

3b

Grease your sugar veil lace mat, and using a confectionary spreader, spread the sugar veil over the lace mat from top to bottom, left
to right, and then diagonally. Let sit overnight. Repeat this step for
desired amount of lace.

Step 3
Once the lace is dry, remove from the mat and cut into desired
shapes.

Step 4

Using graphic design software, create the images you would like to
impress on your cake with Icing Images. We used a toile patterned
Eiffel Tower, 10 inches high by 6 inches wide, and 2 sheets of toile
pattern used for swags, and 1 sheet of a fleur de lis pattern to be
used for medallions and dressing the board. You can use stock
images to find the image youd like to use, as they are license free
and high resolution.

Step 5
Print your Icing Images.

Step 6

Rub a sparse amount of shortening to the cake where you will be


applying the Eiffel Tower.

Step 7
Cut the Eiffel Tower image into 3 equal sections.

Step 8
Trim the Eiffel Tower so the cutout is clean and free of excess paper.

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10

Step 9
Apply the Eiffel Tower cutout onto the cake over
the shortening.

Step 10
Mark your cake every 3 inches where you will
attach the swags.

11

Step 11
Apply your sugar veil lace pieces onto the cake on
the markings. Repeat around all 3 tiers.

Step 12
Roll a piece of fondant 1/8 inch thick, and rub
a small amount of shortening on it to cover the
whole surface. Apply the toile pattern to the
fondant

Step 13

12

Using a very sharp artists knife or pizza cutter,


cut the imaged fondant into strips 3 inches long
by 2 inches wide.

Step 14
Lay a strip over skewers or dowels, and use your
fingers to smooth over the dowels to create
ridges. Make sure to smooth lightly so as not to
smudge the image.

13

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any


attempt to create or replicate any of the Cake Central techniques,
cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results may not be achieved due
to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques,
typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

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cake central magazine

15
Step 15
Pinch both ends, and using piping gel apply
the swag onto the cake, laying over a lace swag.
Trim the excess with a palate knife.
Repeat steps 14 and 15 until every tier is complete with swags.

Step 16

16

Using scissors cut out each fleur de lis


individually.

Step 17
Apply a thin layer of shortening on a cake
board, then apply the fleur de lis around the
cake board in desired pattern.

Step 18

18

Roll fondant 1/4 inch thick, apply a thin layer


of shortening, and using a circle or oval cutter,
cut out circles. Repeat until you have enough to
cover the meeting points of each swag.

Step 19
Apply a cut out fleur de lis to each medallion.
Using piping gel, attach the medallions to cover
the meeting points of each swag.

notes
Store your Icing Images in air tight containers away from sunlight, until ready to use.
If necessary, trim your Icing Images using
scissors.

19a

Store Sugar Veil between 2 sheets of parchment paper in a food storage bag out of
sunlight.

19b

Use the highest quality inks and icing sheets


which will ensure minimal tearing and/or
smudging.

cake central magazine

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Grand

prize winner

Its getting late on Sunday


night, and after two intense
days of competition, the
crowds and hype are finally
dying down. As hundreds of
tables are wheeled away and
crates are being stacked,
cake makers from all over
the country dismantle
their beautiful designs
from display. A bittersweet
finale; the exciting energy
of competition weekend is
beginning to wane, with
one exception; a petite
brunette, who continues
glowing throughout all the
disassembly and packing.
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cake central magazine

Flora Aghababyan,

a native of Armenia, had every reason to


continue celebrating, for she had just been
named the Grand Prize Winner of the Oklahoma
State Sugar Art Show. Floras design, Visions
of Heaven, inspired by the Ettal Monastery in
Bavaria, Germany, was worthy to be showcased
in the Monastery itself. The four ornate tiers,
the hand painted domed centerpiece, and the
immaculate attention to detail, all put together
in perfect symmetry, showcased the prestige of
Floras talent as a cake enthusiast and an artist.
Flora traveled to Tulsa, OK from Las Vegas
where she is currently the cake artist for the
Wynn Las Vegas Hotel. This was her third year
competing at the show, and her fifth year
on the competition circuit. Although her
modest demeanor could imply that she lacks a
certain aggressive edge, her less-than-modest
cakes suggest otherwise. Her designs are
exceptional; they defy decorating limitations
and demonstrate the value of relentless
practice. Flora spoke to Cake Central about
her journey as a decorator and how her win in
Oklahoma is just another step along the way.
Portrait of an Artist
Ten years ago, Flora was living in Armenia, and
her creative side was not yet in cake but in
dance. I have been a dancer since I was six
years old, and I danced in all different styles for
probably 15 years, says Flora. She was also an
avid drawer and painter, taking art classes all
throughout her schooling. I loved and still love

OSSASPhotography By: Misty Winesberry

going to museums to see all the different kinds of art being


produced around the world. In search of a change of pace for
her daughter and herself, Flora came to the U.S. in 2000 and
eventually found work at a bakery in Las Vegas.
Although cake decorating had not yet been a career choice
for Flora, she had already dabbled around with it as a hobby.
Back in Armenia, she would decorate cakes for her family
members, and as her skills developed her interest deepened.
Coming to the States provided an opportunity for her cake
creativity to expand further. I realized that cake was much
more respected here than in Armenia, and after trying out
pastries for a while I decided to focus on my cake decorating
abilities.
Do-It-Yourself
Flora first began her cake career by working at the famous Bellagio Hotel, and she gave herself a steep learning curve right
from the beginning. I was presented with a photo of a cake and
asked if I could make it. I responded, Yes of course, even though
it was something Id never done before. Though most would be
daunted by the pressure of taking on something theyd never
practiced (for one of the countrys most renowned hotels, no
less), Flora used this assignment as a learning tool, and through
her own methods she was able to replicate the cake.
This system of self-teaching continued as she began taking
orders from clients. I started looking at pictures that customers
would give me, and I would copy the pictures to build my skills.
Once I learned all the techniques, I was able to do everything
based on my own knowledge and creativity. Consequentially,
Flora is an entirely self-taught decorator who forced herself to
adapt and learn the necessary skills.
Viva La Cake
Working for both the Bellagio and Wynn Hotels has refined
Floras skills, and she is continually faced with new orders and
design requests. Floras staff of six, herself included, has
become a top-notch team of collaborative skill. Although
Flora used to do the majority of the harder work, each of her
decorators has adapted to her learn-by-doing mentality, and
now each of them can perform all the techniques. Everyone
is getting better every day, and out of all the kitchens at the
hotel we have the most fun. My decorators are the happiest
staff because we always have something new and exciting
coming in, praises Flora.
A good deal of these exciting orders includes several celebrity
cake requests, which are typically novelty cakes. We will do 4 to
5 celebrity cakes a week, and they are for all types of occasions
in just about every shape and style possible! Typically these
are people who dont care how much money they are spending
because they just want a beautiful cake. The celebrity cakes,
however, only make up a small fraction of the orders coming
into the Wynn. We do 80 to 100 small cakes every week, as
well as 7 to 10 wedding cakes at a time. Las Vegas is a funny
placepeople will decide to have a wedding with only one
days notice.
Wynn-ing Creations
So what happens when you order a cake from this Grand Prize
winning artist? Despite her extensive creative background, Flora
likes to pay respects to a clients particular preferences when
designing their cake. She will ask what interests you, the customer, and she will inquire about the wedding or partys theme.
I do research to see what would be a good fit for the theme,
and I always like the complicated stuff and to do the impossible. Furthermore, customers are encouraged to push even

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Floras boundaries and to come up with a cake that


is particular to their style and aesthetics.
In terms of her personal taste, Flora says that she
doesnt particularly like bright colors for wedding cakes and instead prefers soft pastels and
light colors. I like classic, elegant cakes, but this
could also be something very special that looks
more like a piece of art. Her winning OSSAS cake
demonstrates her particular taste through its color
scheme, ornate decoration, and unique structure.
No Comfort Zone
For a decorator who welcomes a challenge with
open arms, its no surprise that Flora thrives in the
competitive cake arena. Every year, competitions
want to see new things, new techniques. So each
time I compete I try to do something different, and
not what I do every day. Even before the winners
were announced at OSSAS, Flora told us that shes
not interested in repeating the ideas she used in
Visions of Heaven because she thrives on change
and novelty (Perhaps after winning her mind may
have changed a bit). Coming out on top, however, isnt her motive behind competing. I love
competing because its what makes you better; if
I didnt do it I would always stay at the same level
and wouldnt be growing, winning will always
come second. Because of her hectic work schedule, Flora is unable to compete too often, but as
she says, When I know its my time, competing is
always what I want to do, and I never do anything
too comfortable.
Despite her accelerating fame and industry recognition, Floras greatest hope is that she will be
able to use her knowledge and skills to teach new
decorators. My goal is to teach, train, and pass
on everything Im learning every day to younger
generations. Ultimately, Flora would like to teach
classes, but with her learning attitude she is still in
the process of improving upon her already exceptional talent. She would not only like to expand
on her technical skills, but also to incorporate all
different sugar mediums into her repertoire. You
need to try every product out there so you can be
good at everything, Flora says.
And we have no doubt she is well on her way to
such a goal; with a fiery work ethic and endless
perseverance, this Las Vegas cake starlet is sure to
break through the industrys limits. I know if I push
myself and tell myself that I have to do it, and I
want to do itI can do it.

visions of heaven

I was very interested in the concept of this cake, but it was definitely complicated. The most
difficult part was getting the sketch down on paper; sometimes I look deep into myself to find
inspiration and I get lost because there are so many possibilities. I found the Ettal Monastery
online, and I really loved the beautiful paintings, and the gold rococo shape of the picture frames. I
did a lot of hand modeling on most of the cake as well as hand painting.

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53

Bob Johnson
Huntsville, AL

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I wanted to go for grandeur


and baroque, and the inspiration for the design came
from a room at the Marble
House, a Rhode Island Vanderbilt mansion. All of the
flowers were inspired by the
flowers at Alva Vanderbilts
wedding, including Chinese
peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs,
and roses. The most difficult
part was incorporating a
chandelier into the design,
in terms of supporting it and
creating its silhouette.
Johnson

Jackies Award

Amidst the commotion of all the cakes at the show, I made a beeline
for this cake. It was so striking to me initially, and as I continued to
look at it I noticed all the different levels of texture used, and every
new angle was something new and interesting. The overall composition,
however, wasnt overwhelming, which really impressed me. I love it!

Jackie

cake central magazine

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Highland Bakery
Karen Portaleo
Atlanta, GA
karenportaleo.com

I have a background in art, so


I started thinking about collections in churches that could be
translated in a cake design. This
was influenced by the paintings of Jean- Honor Fragonard,
specifically his work, The Swing.
Because my inspiration came
from a painting itself, I wanted
the final product to reflect the
look of a painting, so I did the
whole cake in white and then
hand painted everything.
Portaleo

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Presidents Award

The beautiful hand paintingon this cakeimmediatelycaughtmy


eye. After taking a closer look, I was drawn in and captured by the rich
and layered details I originally missed in my first glance. Thiscaketells a
story, just asJean-Honor FragonardsThe Swingdoes. The true allure of
thiscakeis that I can look at it for an hour and catch myself holding my
breath inappreciationof the fine detail.

Leanne

cake central magazine

57

Seon Young Jeong


Los Angeles, CA

The cake's red image


was influenced by
part of the library
in The Abbey of
Saint Gall. The
library's interior
incorporates gold
and a baroque style,
so I incorporated
both these features
with styling molds.
Also, I used a lot of
roses because I think
the color red and
roses represent the
strongest image of
the Catholic Church.
I tried to make the
sugar flowers very
true to life, and I love
to make the ribbon
look as real
as possible.
Jeong

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Editors Award

I cant come up with a word other than fabulous to describe the


overall essence of this cake. When I first saw it, I was awe-struck
by its use of colorthese were hues I would never think to pair
together, and she was able to make them work beautifully. The
flowers are exquisite, and her use of gold adds an element of glamour.
Just stunning.

Robyn

cake central magazine

59

LuLu's Sweet Art


Amanda Hamilton
San Diego, CA
lulusweetart.com

My inspiration came from


the Winchester Mystery
House, and despite its
somber history, I really
enjoyed translating a few
of its more beautiful and
romantic elements onto my
cake. The brush embroidery
Lincrusta patterning as
well as the hand-cut stained
glass window stencils were
painstakingly replicated
from photographs of the
originals, while the royal
icing extension work was
meant to echo the spider
web motif that can be found
throughout the house.
Hamilton

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Photographers Award

I absolutely LOVE the stained glass technique that was done on


the cake. I wouldnt have expected it to look so great in such pastel
colors, but the look was a home run in my book! I was amazed at how
stunning the effect was.I really liked the string work as well. The
flowers were beautiful, and overall it was a very striking cake to me.

Misty

cake central magazine

61

3 Brothers Bakery
Elizabeth Balderaz
Houston, TX
3brothersbakery.com

I hand painted the bottom


tier, and hand wrapped the
green (material looking) tier.
The fleur-de-lis was made
out of white chocolate with
a hand made mold. The blue
tier used a rope mold, and I
added the flowers and piping
leaves with royal icing.
Balderaz

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Sweet Nothings
Fiona Black
Lincoln Park, MI
sweetnothingsfinecakesanddesserts.com

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cake central magazine

The inspiration for this


cake came from a Bohemian style purse, as well
as an Indian dress pattern.
I hand made the orange
poppy flowers.
Barrire

Cakes by Gina
Ayanna Barriere
Houston, TX
cakesbyginahouston.com

Cake Craft Shoppe


Cynthia Bayne
Sugar Land, TX

The cake is a representation of the


Shangri La mansion in Hawaii. Overall,
the cake took about 400 hours to
complete, and the most time consuming
part were the flowers. There are 70
total flowers on the whole cake, and
each required 31 pieceslots of work!
Bayne

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67

Alice Cosani
Sugar Land, TX

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Theres a clock at my
old college, Dowling
College, which meant
something to me so I
decided to incorporate
that in my design. The
hardest part for me
was gravity, because
I love when things
are sticking out or
when proportions are
beyond reason. So
this cake was kind
of a lets see what
happens type of deal,
and I wanted to use
it all as a learning
experience.

Michael Guasta
West Babylon, NY

Guasta

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69

I have always loved


the wine and grapes
theme, so I chose to
incorporate these
ideas and colors in
my design. Working
with the dark color,
however, turned out
to be one of the most
challenging parts of
the design. I molded
the wine bottle from
an actual bottle,
and I used a scrapbooking punch on
the borders.
Dittomaso

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Connie Ditommaso
Poughkeepsie, NY

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71

Elizabeth Dickson
Bossier City, LA

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73

Mindy, Garcia
ON, Canada

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Roberta Graham
Harper, KS

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cake central magazine

I found a Haveli
palace in India
which I really
loved; everything
incorporated in
those buildings is so
incredibly detailed,
so I wanted to use as
much design in my
cake as possible. The
larger string work
was very difficult,
especially since its
actually floating in
eight different spots
around the cake.

Cakes With the Personal Touch


Edith Hall
Hallsville, MO
cakeswiththepersonaltouchbyedithhall.blogspot.com

Hall

cake central magazine

79

A Couple of Sweet Things


Jenny Leisure
Indianappolis IN

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cake central magazine

Hidden Cafe
Katharine Hincak
Mukwonago, WI
hiddencafe-kaths.com

The gold piping


work on this cake
was both my favorite
part and the most
difficult part. I have
a bad hand, and as
most decorators
know doing this kind
of piping work takes
a very steady hand,
therefore the work
on this cake was
really good therapy.
The majority of the
cake was extensive
hand piping, using
#000 and #1 tips.
Holgate

Cakes by Design
Diane Holgate
Farmington, NM
cakesbydeesign.com

Carter Holton
Kansas City, MO

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85

Frosted Art
Kaitlin Massey
Dallas, TX
frostedart.com

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cake central magazine

My cake was inspired


by a photo of the
Monastery of Our Lady
of Pandanassa in Greece;
specifically the tall
tower. The most difficult
aspect was applying the
tiny fondant brick oneat-a-time to give the
impression of an old,
worn masonry. I was
particularly pleased with
the colors on this cake the look of sun-washed
brick, the terra cotta roof
tiles, and the contrast
of the red and purple
gumpaste flowers.

Carol Lowe
Auburn Hills, MI

Lowe

cake central magazine

87

Luckey Cakes
Tammi Luckey
Fort Worth, TX
luckeycakes.com

"When I saw Kaysie


Lackeys tattoo cake on
the July cover of Cake
Central, I thought it was
one of the coolest cakes
I had ever seen! I was
immediately inspired by it
to make my competition
cake for the Oklahoma
show. So, I researched
and combined several
tattoo ideas and this is
what I came up with."
Luckey

cake central magazine

89

Bon Bon
Constance McLin
Huntington Beach, CA
bonboncake.com

I really love gothic


architecture in any form,
and I thought I could
incorporate it in the look
of a monastery-inspired
cake. A monastery doesnt
need to be drab and dark,
and it can actually rival the
pristine look of a cathedral.
My inspiration came from
the Batalha Monastery
in Portugal, designed by
King Joo who promised
to build the most beautiful
cathedral if his men would
be saved from battle.
McLin

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91

Out of this World Cakes


Carmon Middleton
Spring, TX

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cake central magazine

Christina Meisner
Bloomington, MN

Richard Parker
Edmond, OK

Im a structural
engineer, so all the
arches and gothic
stylizing went really
well. I used an engineer
scale to press down and
make the molding, and
I carved my own tile.
The cake required a
good deal of woodshop
work as well, and I used
CAD drawings while
developing the concept
for my project, similar
to what I do when
engineering a building
structureonly applied
to cake.
Parker

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cake central magazine

Wedding Cakes by Kim Payne


Kim Payne
Cheyenne, OK
weddingcakesbykimpayne.com

cake central magazine

95

Dawn Parrot
Houston, TX
iceddreamscakes.com

I do 80 to 90 percent
of my cakes with some
form of influence from
architecture, so I really
took to this idea. Mont
Saint-Michel, a tidal
island in Normandy,
France, was my primary
inspiration for this
design. I hand made a
good deal of the cake,
including the crown on
top which is a pastillage.
I like the bevel tiers
with the hanging fleurde-lis, which of course
reflected the French
theme, and I hope to
incorporate that idea
again in another cake.
Parrott

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cake central magazine

Dawn Parrot
Houston, TX
iceddreamscakes.com

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97

Create a Cake
Gary Silverthorn
Kimball, MI

The design took about 6


weeks, and I struggled a
bit with the concept and
how exactly to put it all
together. The inspiration
came from a single column
in a Spanish monastery,
and I wanted to reproduce
pieces of it. I really like
the final result and I would
like to do this sort of
column design again, maybe
in a different color on a
different cake.
Silverthorn

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99

Rachel Snider
Halfway, MO

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Gypsy Cakes Edible Art Boutique


Rossemary Stinson
Edmond, OK
gypsycakes.net

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101

Cathy Stone
Dolores, CO

My first thought was


of flying buttresses and
Victorian paintings, and so
I went with this idea and
used a book of paintings as
my inspiration guide. My
final product, called Stars
of the Clerestory, is based
on a star vault that I used
in my design. I used lace
points for the arches, and I
like how they turned out.
Stone

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cake central magazine

Sugar Creations
Rebecca Sutterby
Savonburg, KS
SugarCreations.com

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103

Bake Me a Cake
Mercedes Strachwsky
Orlando, FL
bakemeacake.net

I loved the idea of coral


rocks, which is what first
started my design. I did all
the roses freehand, and I
used texture brushes on
the stones. I was able to
make the little stones in
the garden by mixing my
leftover scraps in a blender,
then sifting them just like
real rocks because they had
dried. I then used water to
mush them into the deck
area, similar to sand.
Strachwsky

104

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105

Cakes By Gina
Gina Yobbagy
Houston, TX
cakesbyginahouston.com

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Robin Vanhoozer
Newcastle, OK
cakedesignsbyrobin.com

My biggest goal
with this design was
to improve upon the
figurines so they
were as lifelike as
possible. Therefore,
I focused a lot of
my attention on the
bride and groom. On
the brides dress, any
flaw can be covered
with a decoration,
but the grooms
suit was tricky. You
dont have the ability
on a suit to cover
anything up, so I had
to be very precise to
get it right.
Vanhoozer

cake central magazine

107

Kelli Watkins
Murphy, TX

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Spotlight Branka Jovanovic

Branka Jovanovic

an inspiring cake story from Serbia

obody in my family has


ever been in the confectionary business, and
before I started making
cakes I never thought
doing so would give me so much joy and
pleasure. I lived my life quietly in a happy
marriage with my husband and our two
daughters. My husband and I were employed
(he is a radiologist and I was an accountant),
and our daughters were in school and eventually got college degrees and jobs of their
own. Years were passing by.
In 1998 I got sick and I had to retire. In November of the following year, I had a very
difficult surgery and developed a pulmonary
embolism due to a serious complication. I
was fighting for my own life. I remember that
there was a young girl lying next to me in the
hospital room. We both had oxygen masks
on our faces and we could only look at each
other. At one point I looked over at her, and
she was dead! In a blink of the eye, she was
gone. My father also died while I was in the
hospital, and only a few months before, I had
experienced the bombardment of my country
and my city. That was a very difficult time
for me. I thought I was going to die without
ever doing something just for myself. I was 50
years old at the time.
After I was released from the hospital and
was still recovering, a Wilton Cake Decorating
Yearbook from 1998 came into my hands.
In the yearbook, I saw cakes decorated with
rolled fondant for the first time. They were
breathtaking. My husband translated the
rolled fondant recipe for me, but I couldnt
find glucose because so many of our factories
were out of business.

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109

Spotlight Branka Jovanovic

My first decorations for cakes were made of


royal icing. Lacking proper tools, I used plastic
bags, and in one corner of the bag I made a
small perforation which I used to make beautiful lace decorations. After two years of trying,
I managed to find glucose and made my first
rolled fondant. I was indescribably happy. Soon
after, I visited confectionery fairs in Hungary
and Italy where I bought my first cake decorating books, cutters, impressions, and other
molds. At that time, you couldnt buy those
things in my country. Today, I have more than
30 books and I have learned everything I know
from them. I got translation help from my husband and daughters.
In 2005, one of the most popular magazines for
women, Nasa Praktika, organized an exhibition
for amateur confectioners. Each participant
brought their handmade decorations and
cakes. My work was noticed by the chief editor
of the magazine. She asked me to write for
Nasa Praktika about different cake decorating
techniques with rolled fondant. Fondant was
very rarely used at that time in Serbia. The
magazine came out once a month, and I wrote
columns for about two years. During that time,
I taught many readers across what was then
Yugoslavia how to decorate cakes with rolled
fondant and flowers made of gumpaste. I never
accepted money for these lessons but I met
many dear friends!
For the past 20 years or more, a big humanitarian
competition called Najtorte (meaning best cake)
has been organized in the month of October. Its
held in Belgrade, and it usually has more than 300
participants. After the jury makes their decision
and the prizes are awarded, cakes are distributed
to institutions for sick children and children without parents. The most complicated and beautiful
cakes I have made were for these occasions. I
have participated about 10 times, and I have
always won awards.
Since 2005, it has been my great pleasure to buy
books and cake decorating tools over the internet, and also see beautifully decorated cakes from
all around the world. Now I can only make a few
cakes per month because I am 61 years old, my
health isnt so good, and I make the cakes all by
myself. But I still enjoy every step of the process,
from having my first ideas to the final decorated
cake. Im especially happy when I see the stunned
faces of my clients.
My hobby has helped me get over some difficult times in my life. Today, I am a happy
woman! The only thing I regret is not discovering the beauty of this art earlier!

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International Desserts Tembleque

Puerto Rican dancing queen,


tembleque
Tembleque, a delicious coconut pudding,
is a popular Latin American dessert that
originated in Puerto Rico. The dish has a
pudding taste with the consistency much
like gelatin, and it is made from simple ingredients such as sugar and coconut milk.
This dish is traditionally made around
the Christmas season, however it has
become a year-round custom. Tembleque translates into trembling,
due to the gelatin nature and its
tendency to jiggle. In addition to
being served across all of Puerto
Rico, tembleque is also a custom
treat throughout Latin America, some
South American countries, and even
in some Southeast Asian cuisines.

Tembleque is served with a wide assortment of toppings and garnishes which


add supplemental flavor. The dessert is
quite rich, and with its beautiful presentation it makes for a perfect ending to
serve at a dinner party. It is also a snap
to make at home, with its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow preparation.
The pudding is typically made in a
decorative mold, which gives it its
distinctive jiggle, although it
can also be eaten right out
of the mold. Similar to
any gelatin made in a
tall mold, tembleque
is a sweet that will
excitedly dance
across your plate.

Tembleque

By Edna de la Cruz
4 CUPS COCONUT MILK
1/4 TEASPOON SALT
2/3 CUP SUGAR
1/2 CUP CORNSTARCH
GROUND CINNAMON

Combine 3 cups coconut milk


with salt and sugar in a pot.

Stir to dissolve the cornstarch


with 1 cup of the milk, and run
through a strainer. Add it to
the rest of the milk.

Cook on medium high, stirring


constantly with a whisk to
avoid lumps until its fully
cooked.
Reduce the temperature to
low, and cook for a few more
minutes, stirring often.

Pourinto a mold that has been


soaked in water.
The time it takes to cool will
depend on the mold you use.
Aluminum molds with curved
details are best for this dish.

Turn into a shallow dish when


cold.
Sprinkle some ground
cinnamon over the top.

If you want more cinnamon


flavor, pour some of the ground
cinnamon into the milk before
it cooks. You can also add a
tablespoon oforange flower
waterfor extra flavor.
*Unsweetened coconut milk
is best.

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Now & Then Jene Nato (Rylan Ty)

now

&then

By Jene Nato (Rylan Ty)

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cake central magazine

Now & Then Jene Nato (Rylan Ty)

now: My attention was first drawn

to the pillars, which seemed to be a good


chance to challenge myself by using them
in my design. To do so, I asked my father to
build a custom cake stand that would mimic
the architectural details of the pillars. I then
brought the details to the separator to give it
a continuous flow, just like the then cake.
I was very inspired by the couples attire. The
color palette and square tiers came from the
grooms sleek tuxedo. I thought it was a great
way to add some masculine touches to the
cake and at the same time, it gave the cake a
contemporary look. Also, if you look closely,
the bride has this beautiful embroidered
pattern on the facade of her dress. I used
that element to add floral texture to the
white borders.
I thought the birds were important so I
created simplified gumpaste birds with
intricate wings to achieve a traditional yet
updated feel. Since the birds were more than
a theme, I added eggs to fill out the open
spaces, thus creating some balance.
Finally, I hand cut the monogram to give
the cake that extra personalization for this
special couple.

then:

Kathy and Rod, the bride and groom in the photograph, certainly tied several
aspects of their wedding into the design of their cake. The color coordination between the
light blue and the white mimicked the look of both Kathys dress and the Rods ruffled shirt.
Additionally, carnations were used to decorate the base of the cake and the stand, in addition
to being the flower on Rods boutonniere and the crown of flowers on Kathys veil. The ornate
features of the cake, including the swan pillars, the tulle, and the arrangement of the topper
compliments the detail used on the dress, as well as the intricate lace lining of the veil.

In loving memory of Rodney Thaut


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113

Ever Wonder top tier

why do couples
save the top tier?
O

f all the elaborate design put into creating a custom cake for a wedding, few elements are quite as particular to
the couple as their top tier. The top tier is the peak of the cake creation, and as many people know, the tier is
often frozen after the wedding and saved for the couples first anniversary. Aside from the obvious sentimental
value of this tradition, have you ever considered how the custom was started?
Saving the top tier dates back to the latter part of the nineteenth century. During this time, large cakes similar to wedding cakes were baked for christening ceremonies, and because it was assumed that a christening would shortly follow
the wedding, the celebrations were often connected. Because the wedding was typically a larger celebration than the
christening, the leftovers of the wedding cake (namely, the cake topper) were subsequently used for the christening. This
provided a convenient opportunity to use the remainder of the wedding cake and also to celebrate the christening.
Naturally as time wore on, the wedding and christening events became more separate, and the reasoning of saving the
top tier became disassociated from christening celebrations. However, the tradition of saving the top tier remained, and it
now serves as a reminder for couples of their special day one year later.

Call 1-877-NYCAKE-8

N.Y. Cake & Baking Dist


56 Weat 22nd Street | NY NY 10010
NY CAKE WEST | 310-481-0875
10665
Blvd
| Los Angeles, CA 90064
114W Pico
cake central
magazine

Great Prices, Great Service.


Sering the Industry for 30 years.
Join our e-mail list to be notified of
all special discounts to our customers!

www.nycake.com

blushing inspiration
New Jersey's Anne Heap

pink

A hue synonymous
with all things lively,
loving, fresh, and bright. There is a
certain excitement that comes from
the color, and when Anne Heap
needed a name for her cake business,
she used this excitement as her guide.
She quotes, I love pink! I thought
I would be able to sell all of my
products in pink boxes. This dream
has come true, and customers of Pink
Cake Box in Denville, NJ continue
to receive goodies in pretty, sealed
boxes. However, the most impressive
accomplishments of Anne Heap and
Pink Cake Box simply cannot be
confined to a small box.

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115

Today, Anne Heaps creations have defied cake


decorating boundaries, and her exceptional skills
and design versatility have made her one of the
most acclaimed cake artists around. Between her
television appearances and frequent blog posts,
we were fortunate enough to speak with Anne
about her impressive trek through the cake world.
Baker-in-the-Making
From the time she was five, Anne began learning
the tricks of flour and sugar through baking with
her mother and grandmother. I remember baking
cookies and cakesand soon I was baking on
my own! she says. Luckily, this new-found hobby
came at the same time her creative side began
to develop. For Anne, art came naturally, and she
found all different outlets to use her budding
imagination, which continued throughout her
childhood. I had always loved to draw, paint,
and doodle on just about anything that could be
doodled on. I used to make jewelry for fun, and I
even sculpted animals out of ivory soap. In high
school, I loved art class and it helped my creative
side continue to flourish.
Anne used her creativity in different arenas before
finding her way to the kitchens of culinary school.
After attending Boston College, she spent four
years working in advertising, which was a great
intermediary between being an undergraduate
and a culinary student. My creative juices were
flowing at that point, and it was the perfect time
for me to marry my love of baking with my artistic
side. The opportune time had come, drawing
Anne away from the professional world to the
French Culinary Institute.
School Days
Although Anne already had natural baking skills,
attending the Institute allowed her to master the
fundamentals of the craft. I learned the science
of baking, which helped me develop recipes and
become a better baker. This was also when Annes
attention was turned toward cake decorating, and
as she enthusiastically remembers, I was in love
instantly! Cake infatuation led Anne to an internship with industry master Ron Ben-Israel in New
York City, which helped refine her decorating skills
and develop a new repertoire of techniques. I
learned so much with Ron about gumpaste sugar
work and cake decoration, and I knew my career
path was set.
Inside Pink Cake Box
Before her time in pastry school, operating a
cake business hadnt even crossed Annes mind,
but once she got her feet wet in the industry her
aspirations grew. I started making cakes, and I
couldnt stop! I loved coming up with designs and
creating cakes for all different events. My ambition

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steadily increased, and before I knew it, Pink Cake


Box was born! As stated previously, it was Annes
vision of pink boxed desserts that led her to the
name of the shop, which opened in 2005 from a
restaurant kitchen. In the beginning, she worked
all by herself, and after nearly a year and a half she
hired her friend Indira from pastry school to help
operate the new store front location. Today, the
staff is comprised of about 12 people, including
some full time, some part time, and some interns.
When asked about her staff, Anne heartily
explains, We are ALL a lot like our cakes! Fun
whimsical, creative, and one-of-a-kind! The
staffs variety of backgrounds enables everyone
to contribute something unique while still working as a unit. Every member of my staff has
individual strengths that make us a great team,
says Anne. Many, including myself, are career
changers so we have knowledge from our former
lives that helps us be more multi-dimensional. A
fun fact about the Pink Cake Box crew that Anne
affectionately shared: Despite their sophisticated
schooling and palates, half of my staff just loves
Duncan Hines cake mix and frostingyou know
who you are!
Inspiration and Stylization
As with any type of product design, Pink Cake
Boxs style changes according to new and different trends in the cake world. As shown throughout their cake galleries, the staffs skills are not
limited to one particular technique, and once they
create something new it becomes a customer
hit. We notice that we often do similar cakes in
groups. So if we post a cake on our blog, we will
get 10 more orders for a similar cake within the
next two months, says Anne. Trends in fashion
and artistic design tend to dictate a good deal
of what clients order from Pink Cake Box as well.
With damask being such a popular design on
invitations and fabric right now, we have seen an
increase in this type of design on our cakes.
Similar to other master designers, Anne is able
to use elements involved in a wedding or party
in the creation of a cake. I often find inspiration
from clients invitations, wedding gowns, floral
arrangements, and party themes. With her artistic
background and natural creativity, however, she is
accustomed to finding ideas for cake design just
about everywhere she turns. Even simple, day-today activities help to stir Annes imagination. I am
inspired by just about everything around me! If
I see a cute display in a store window, I might be
inspired to design a cake.
Competition and Classroom
Anne is well known as a competitor on The Food
Networks show Challenge, where she has competed twice so far. Additionally, shes appeared twice

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on TLCs Ultimate Cake-Off and won once with her Legoland Birthday Cake, which can be seen on
Pink Cake Boxs website. Her first appearance on Challenge was in June of 2008, and she quotes
it was, Definitely an eye-opening experience, as I had absolutely no idea what I was getting
into! The particular Challenge she first competed in was a mystery, meaning that the competitors
were all unprepared ahead of time for the cake they were assigned to make, and they were not
provided with a trained assistant (which they are normally given). Anne remembers the experience as, Very humbling, to say the least, however the more she competed the more comfortable
the arena became. I soon realized these TV competitions are a fun break from reality, and arent
always a good example of your capabilities. Surely, some would disagree as Annes competition cakes have always been impressivebut she agrees that the more competitions you do, the
better and easier they are to handle.

When Anne is not competing or decorating,


she helps others learn the art of cake design by
teaching classes. For all the classes taught at Pink
Cake Box, Anne is the primary instructor, and she
always has help from at least one member of her
staff. Teaching allows Anne a break from cake creation, and she gets the opportunity to share her
skills with aspiring designers. I really enjoy teaching and absolutely love watching people become
inspired the way I so often feel. It is so rewarding
to see the beautiful cakes my students create!
The difficulty in perfecting cake craft is something
Anne has a lot of experience with, and she will
humbly admit that learning the best techniques
takes a lot of trial and error. However, these mistakes are what help Anne improve and eventually
learn all the best tricks. As a teacher, she can
pass on these pieces of decorating knowledge to
others, and she is continually finding new ways to
learn for herself. I really enjoy reading cake decorating books and tutorials online. Even watching
cake shows is a good method of learning new
techniques! Industry knowledge is always developing, and even masters like Anne know that a
decorator can never stop learning something new.
Linked In
One of the valuable attributes of Pink Cake Box is
their online accessibility. The shop has used the
digital world to their advantage; their website is
regularly updated with new cakes and news, they
maintain a frequent presence on Facebook and
Twitter, and their blog posts are just as exciting
and enthusiastic as the shop itself. We decided
that social media was going to be a central part
of our strategy back in 2005 when we launched
our blog and started posting our cakes on Flickr.
The advantage of this publicity? As opposed to
many bakeries that dont even have a web page,
Pink Cake Box is able to attract customers over a
network as highly accessed as the internet, and
they are also able to connect with clients at any
time of day, any day of the week. Social media
gives us another avenue to engage with the community. It has also helped us get closer to our fans
and customers, and it has helped increase brand
awareness. In a digital age, it is no wonder that
utilizing social media to such a degree has helped
Pink Cake Box, and they are certainly thankful
to have such a tech-savvy audience. Anne adds,
We are very fortunate to have very engaged and
passionate fans and customers who enjoy and
appreciate our work.
Pink Cake Boxs presence on the internet has
certainly bolstered their fame and customers;
however, the real strength of their operation
is rooted in Annes talent and aspirations for
success. I can attribute my success to extreme
perseverance, dedication, and finding talented

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119

people who could help me convey my vision through cake, says Anne. And cake is only half of
the equation of what makes Pink Cake Box great. The positive dynamic Anne has nurtured in the
shop adds an exceptional experience for the staff, making their attitudes and work ethic all the
more strong. Anne says, The experiences I have had over the past five years have not only made
me a better cake designer, but they have also taught me that with happy employees, you will have
happy customers, and therefore a happy and healthy business. Her passion for both cake and a
thriving workplace, matched with the support of her husband Jesse and her wonderful staff, have
generated a cake sensation, sure to continue to awe and inspire the industry.

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121

Business of Cake Debi Brim

its a techno world:


building effective websites
By: Debi Brim

he average wedding couple today is in their mid-20s, and they were born in a techno world. In their minds,
the words yellow pages always ends with dot com. Having a website for your business is as necessary today
as having a phone in the 50's and having a fax machine in the 80's. But dont confuse this viable piece of advertising as just an oversized phone book advertisement. A website can include your price list, your screening
system, your photo album, and your business card. Its how you communicate with your customers and connect with other businesses. Its an ever-changing, interactive tool to keep customers coming back to see whats new in
your business. In other words. its your salesman!
Pricing and Pages
There are many opinions on whether to put pricing on a website. In my opinion, some kind of price range needs to be on
there, even if its a, Starts at indicator. Many brides have said that if they land on a website that has no pricing information at all, they will just click out and move on to the next one. Posted pricing can also act as a screening system. If a
potential customer sees your pricing and finds it to be in their budget, then you have already moved past a few steps. If it
is outside their budget, then time was not wasted for either of you.

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When I first set up my website, I was told by a


tech-savant that I needed a separate Contact
page. He said people are used to seeing those,
and they will be looking for one, so make it easy
for them to find you. That being said, make sure
you list your city and state on your website. It is
not necessary to list your physical address, but
your general location is essential. Your About
Us page should have information pertinent
to your business, which is meant to entice a
customer to want you to be the creator of their
wedding cake.
Photos
Not surprisingly, the most frequently visited
pages on cake makers websites are the photo
pages. Brides are window shopping and getting
ideas, and one of the first things they want to
see is the quality of a bakers work.
Make sure to adjust the size of the photos you
post, so as to ensure all different levels of the internet may display your cakes at an appropriate
size. While most people have high-speed internet, you dont want to alienate people whose
downloading capabilities may be a bit slower.
Add-Ons
Todays internet shoppers tend to like being
able to interact with the website. Consider
putting a survey on your site asking questions
about the viewers wedding or their planning
process. Posting the survey results prompts
couples to come back to see additional results.
This is just one example of how to engage the
potential client further with your business.
Accommodating the viewer and lending them
a hand in specific tasks can really improve your
customer service status. An example would be
to set up a link that enables a couple to download a free copy of a budget spreadsheet, which
would help them figure the cost of their catered
reception right down to the dime, in addition to
switching around their pricing in separate areas
so that it all may fit their budget. The potential
customer will feel they had received something
free, and they will be able to determine how
your pricing will fit into their overall budget.
Buddy System
One of the best advantages you can put to use
on your site is exchanging links with other wedding vendors. This is an excellent way in which
your site can be reached by a wide range of
searches. When a client is researching a venue
to begin their wedding plans, and they see your
site on the venues page, they will feel as if they
are getting free advice and will more than likely
click on your link next. If you, in turn, put other
vendors on your site, it becomes an advantageous promotion method for both of you.
Finally, do not let your website become dormant
or stale. It is the technological version of a
storefront window, so be diligent about keeping
the information fresh, current, and interesting!

tips for building


your website
By Renee Fujii
PR Manager for

ave a webThe Peoples Cake


site. You need a
in Seattle, WA
website, and you
should know this. There are so
many consumers that preview
services online before even contacting a provider. If youre unable
to design your own site, and dont
have a lot of money to spend on it,
check into local universities. Most
are full of ambitious, bright minds
willing to design your site for a
fraction of the cost. Your domain
name needs to be easy to find;
when you say the name of your
Make sure its good. In
website out loud, you should
truth, a bad website is better
not say the word slash.
than no website at all, but often
Make it simple.
your website is a potential clients
first impression of you. If your website
is disorganized, clients will think you are
disorganized. Conversely, if your website is
thorough and professional, clients will think
the same about you. Double, triple check
every click a viewer could make, and
proof read everything.
Showcase your cakes
through photos. Its true, a
picture is in fact worth a thousand words. Showcasing your cakes
through photos is more effective than
just telling people what you can
do. Make sure your photos are
professional quality or
close to it, and take
Each page should offer
detail shots.
something valuable. Your website can have as many pages as you
need; contact information, photo galleries,
pricing guidelines, and frequently asked questions are all fine, just ensure that each page is
relevant. If you attach a link to your blog, make
sure to write about topics potential customers will
care about. Tell us about the cake you made this
weekend, how you came up with the concept,
and how you made it work. We dont want
to know what you ate for breakfast or
that your dog has a new sweatersave that for Twitter.

Play up your strengths.


When deciding on photos to
include on your website, make sure
you play to your strengths. If youre great
with buttercream, but not so fantastic with
sculpted cakes, stick with the buttercream
photos. Additionally, I highly recommend
having no more than 10 photos per gallery.
Pick your best 10, and go with it. Let people
know anything that helps you to stand out
from the competition. Free deliveries, free
consultations, etc. need to be highlighted
on your website.

You can do it. Your cakes are


great, and the world needs to
know this. A website is the
first step. Good luck.

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Strangely Good Guinness Molasses Cake

Guinness
molasses cake

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cake central magazine

Strangely Good Guinness Molasses Cake

Despite your own personal preference for its taste, there is


one fact about beer that cant be denied: The world loves it. All
different kinds of beer are brewed every day in several different
countries, and the science behind beer brewing enables many
variations in flavor to be made. For those who cant stand the
thought of drinking beer (or those who cant get enough of it),
there are now several ways to incorporate beer in baking. This
months Strangely Good combines beer with a molasses and
chocolate cake, creating a rich, mouth watering treat no matter
your beverage choice.
Cake

1 CUP GUINNESS EXTRA STOUT, OR DARK BEER


1 CUP MILD-FLAVORED, LIGHT MOLASSES
1 1/2 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA
2 CUPS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1/4 CUP COCOA POWDER
3 LARGE EGGS
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1/2 CUP PACKED DARK BROWN SUGAR
3/4 CUP VEGETABLE OIL

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare three, 8 inch


cake pans.

In a heavy medium saucepan, bring beer and


molasses to a boil. Remove from heat.

Stir in baking soda, mixture will quadruple in


size, and let cool completely (about 1 hour).
In a large bowl, sift together flour and cocoa
powder, and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs


and both sugars. Stir in oil and the cooled beer
mixture.

Slowly whisk the beer and egg mixture into the


flour mixture.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until cakes test done.

Brown Sugar Buttercream

Submitted by: luvbuttercream


1 CUP BROWN SUGAR
4 EGG WHITES
1 POUND BUTTER
1 TEASPOON VANILLA

Whisk brown sugar and egg whites together in a


stainless steel bowl.
Set the bowl on a simmering bain-marie on the
stove.
Continue gently whisking until the mixture is
no longer grainy to touch, about 2 minutes.

Remove from heat, and put on your mixer with


whisk for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until
it reaches a meringue-like consistency.

Add in the butter a little at a time, and then add


the vanilla.

Mixture may look curdled for a few minutes into


the mixing, but keep mixing until you achieve a
smooth, silky texture.

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any


attempt to create or replicate any of the Cake Central techniques,
cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results may not be achieved due
to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques,
typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

Allow the cakes to cool completely before


frosting, either on the rack or in the pans.

Photo By:connieriggiophotography.com

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Cake Central Recipe Orange Cranberry Cake

orange
cranberry cake

Photo By:connieriggiophotography.com

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Cake Central Recipe Orange Cranberry Cake

Orange Cranberry Cake

Submitted by: Trials_and_Error


2 1/4 CUPS FLOUR
1 CUP SUGAR
1 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
1 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER
1/4 TEASPOON SALT
2 CUPS DRIED CRANBERRIES
GRATED RIND OF 2 ORANGES
1 CUP BUTTERMILK
3/4 CUP OIL
2 EGGS
1 CUP ORANGE JUICE
1 CUP POWDERED SUGAR

Preheat oven to 350F, and prepare a tube pan.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking


soda, baking powder, and salt.
Stir in cranberries and grated orange rind.
Stir in eggs, oil, and buttermilk. Mix well.

Pour mixture in pan, and bake for 1 hour until


cake tests done.
Remove pan from oven.

Mix together the orange juice and powdered


sugar.*

Poke holes in the top of the cake with a fork,


and pour the orange juice mixture over the cake
until it is absorbed.
*Bakers Tip: Put orange juice and powdered sugar in a jar
or air tight container. Close and shake well to mix.

Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any


attempt to create or replicate any of the Cake Central techniques,
cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results may not be achieved due
to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques,
typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

cake central magazine

127

Cake Central Recipe Pumpkin Cheesecake

pumpkin
cheesecake

128

cake central magazine

Cake Central Recipe Orange Cranberry Cake

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Submitted by harc
Crust

18, 2 INCH GINGERSNAPS (GROUND)


3/4 CUP TOASTED PECANS (GROUND)
1 TABLESPOON SUGAR
PINCH OF SALT
1/4 CUP MELTED BUTTER
1/2 TEASPOON CINNAMON
Filling

1 CUP PUMPKIN PURE


1 CUP SUGAR
2 CUPS WHIPPING CREAM (CHILLED, NOT WHIPPED)
16 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE, ROOM TEMPERATURE
2 LARGE EGGS
2 LARGE EGG YOLKS

Heat oven to 350F. Prepare a 9 inch springform.

Combine all ingredients for crust, and press mixture with


fingers onto bottom and sides (about 2/3 of the way up) of
the pan. Refrigerate.

Heat pumpkin and sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium


heat. Stir until mixture begins to sputter.
Reduce to low, and continue stirring until the mixture
darkens and texture is similar to applesauce.

Pour mixture in a mixing bowl, and beat for one minute to


make smooth.
Add whipping cream and cream cheese, blend well until
the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
Add eggs and yolks, mix until just incorporated.

Remove pan from fridge. Wrap bottom and sides of pan


tightly in double layers of foil to stop water from getting
into the cheesecake.
Pour mixture into prepared pan. Place the pan inside a
larger shallow pan, and surround with 1 inch of very hot
water.

Bake for 45 minutes on center rack, without opening the


oven door.
After 45 minutes, keep the door closed and turn off the
oven. Leave cheesecake inside for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, remove from the oven. Separate the two pans,
and remove the foil from the springform pan. Rack for 1
hour without removing the sides.
Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Once ready to serve, sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and serve with whipped cream.
Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any
attempt to create or replicate any of the Cake Central techniques,
cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results may not be achieved due
to variations in ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques,
typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

cake central magazine

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foliage
fantasy
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cake central magazine

The season for new


blooms is over, and the
annual hype of flowergrowing extravagance
has once again come
and gone. This wane in
floral freshness, however,
presents a creative
opportunity for those
who typically decorate
heavily with flowers.
These featured cakes
put alternative natural
pieces on display, as they
use branches, greenery,
succulents, and other
non-floral plant dcor
as exquisite, tasteful
embellishment.
Photography By: morningroad.com
Model: Martine van roy

Ron Ben-Israel
New York, NY
weddingcakes.com

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Crazy Cake Company


Lien Sanchez
Davis, CA
crazycakecompany.com
lien

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Sin Desserts
Jennifer Luxmoore
Providence, RI
eatwicked.com

cake central magazine

133

Jacques Fine European Pastries


Suncook, NH
jacquespastries.com

134

cake central magazine

Jacques Fine European Pastries


Suncook, NH
jacquespastries.com

cake central magazine

135

Sin Desserts
Jennifer Luxmoore
Providence, RI
eatwicked.com

136

cake central magazine

Sugar Delites
Jennifer Dontz
Manistee, MI
sugardelites.com
cakebabe1

cake central magazine

137

Helen Swarts
Bakersfield, CA
helenswarts

138

cake central magazine

Patisserie Angelica
Sebastopol, CA
patisserieangelica.com

cake central magazine

139

Bonus Tutorial Everyday inspiration

everyday
inspiration
As a cake maker, nothing is more exciting or enticing than being inspired for a new cake idea. Unfortunately, sometimes inspiration can be hard to come by. Instead of sketching or creating an idea for an original design, its easier to
look at cakes others have made and use those as models for your cake. However, with a little imagination its not hard
to find inspiration from all different objects in your day-to-day life. Specialty cake creator Jessica Harris shows how
most anything can be turned into a cake design, just by using a bit of creativity.

In the Bathroom

Jessica used this tasteful and simple design on a small bottle of lotion in her vision for a modern cake. As shown, the top
and bottom tiers have a matching pattern, mimicking the look on the bottle. The color scheme used throughout the cake,
white, black, and purple are consistent in Jessicas design. The Love Faith Joy inscription on the middle tier makes the
design entirely suitable for a wedding, or even an evening party.

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Bonus Tutorial Everyday inspiration

On Your
Desk

This small clock, though seemingly


nondescript, inspired an incredibly
ornate and beautiful cake design. Jessica used both the shapes incorporated
in the clock design as well as the color
of the clock in the sketch of her cake.
By varying the use of black and silver,
her design is able to contrast bold and
delicate details, specifically the vertical
strips and the delicate pattern lining
the top and bottom tiers. The pattern
reflects the lining of pearls surrounding
the clock. Jessica, furthermore, used the
idea of pearls themselves in the borders
on the top and bottom tiers.

cake central magazine

141

Bonus Tutorial Everyday inspiration

In a Bedroom
Patterning on different fabrics can be a go-to for inspiring an idea
for a new cake design. Blankets, curtains, and carpets can all be an
excellent source of new ideas, as there are several designs and colors
to choose from. The only hitch to using fabric can be that sometimes there is too much to choose from, and the designs may be a bit
excessive for one cake. However, in the fabric that Jessica used, she
is able to use only one part of the detailing in an entire cake sketch.
The geometric black-and-white patterning was tweaked in color and
applied to the entire bottom of her two-tier design, and she added
some flair by including an enlarged flower.

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Bonus Tutorial Everyday inspiration

On the
Fridge
Many times, cake decorators will ask for
the invitation for a wedding or shower
when asked to create a cake for the
event. This is partially for the sake of
continuing a theme or color arrangement, but invitations are also a great
source of decorative inspiration. Jessicas
use of this baby shower invitation is a
prime example of how a simple card can
become a sensational cake design. The
border on the card created the idea for
damask on the bottom tier, and the light
pink color is used throughout different elements on the sketch. The square
tiers are unique as well, and they add a
certain sophistication to the cake. After
using several elements from the card
in the design, Jessica included her own
touch by incorporating white and pink
roses to be used randomly once the
cake is complete.

Thanks to Tiny Prints for their baby shower invitation


used as inspiration on this page. Visit tinyprints.com/
holiday for more cards, and receive a discount when you
mention Cake Central!

cake central magazine

143

www.BakeDeco.com
BAKEWARE MOLDS

PASTRY TOOLS

CHOCOLATE SUPPLIES

FONDANT AND WEDDING CAKE SUPPLIES

When in New York, visit our 10,000 sq ft. showroom


Only 20 minutes from Manhattan
FREE CUSTOMER PARKING
144- 15th
cake centralAve.
magazine Brooklyn, NY Tel: 718.232.7044 Toll Free: 800-525-5556
6103

Bonus Tutorial Fondant Embroidery

Mercedes Strachwskys
freehand fondant embroidery

Photos by Michael Strachwsky

cake central magazine

145

Bonus Tutorial Fondant Embroidery

Step 1
Using your hand, roll up a small piece
of pea-size fondant into a tear drop.
You may use a larger piece of fondant
if desired.

Step 2
Roll the fondant until it becomes
thinner and longer.

Step 3
Once rolled to the proper thinness,
moisten the back with a small
paintbrush dipped in water. Apply
the teardrop on the cake and curve
as desired.

146

cake central magazine

Bonus Tutorial Fondant Embroidery

Step 4
Once the fondant has been placed
on the cake, curve it to desired
upside-down shape and repeat as
necessary. Use both hands to hold
up the teardrops until secured
and fastened. Continue doing this
throughout the cake.

Step 5
Once the pattern is complete, you
can use a small amount of royal icing
to add elegant dots to the design.

5
Cake Central Magazine is not responsible for the outcome of any attempt to create or replicate any of the
Cake Central techniques, cakes, projects or recipes.Desired results may not be achieved due to variations in
ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools, techniques, typographical errors or omissions, or personal skill level.

cake central magazine

147

Science of Baking Cocoa Madness

148

cake central magazine

Science of Baking Cocoa Madness

cocoa madness
Moist, rich, fudgy chocolate cake, in my
opinion, is one of lifes greatest simple
pleasures. There is something mystical and
wonderful about the depth and complexity of
chocolate that is satisfying to the body and the
soul. Chocolate, in cake form, is often achieved
by the addition of cocoa powder, melted block
chocolate, or a combination of the two to
standard butter cake batter. Solid chocolate
alone can make for a tasty, mild chocolate
cake, but cocoa powder can transform a
cake into a dark, aromatic masterpiece.
This said, cocoa powders can vary greatly in
color, texture, acidity, and flavor resulting in
profound differences in a final cake product.
I wanted to explore the reasons for these
differences in cocoas, examine how these
differences affected the final cake product, and
determine which cocoas resulted in the most
flavorful, best textured cakes.
What is Cocoa?
Cocoa powder is produced from the beans of the cacao tree which grows in tropical,
equatorial regions of the world, predominately in South America, Africa, and Southeast
Asia. The cacao beans are actually the seeds of a fibrous fruit pod that grow on the
cacao tree. There are three botanical varieties of cacao trees which yield beans that
differ in production and flavor characteristics.
~ The Forastero variety is high-yielding and resistant to many of the diseases that
can affect cacao trees; these trees produce at least 90 percent of the worlds cocoa
beans, and are characterized by a dark, full chocolate flavor.
~ Criollos, which compose less than five percent of the worlds cocoa bean production, are light in color and they provide a fine, fruity aromatic top note that is
missing in the Forastero variety. Their low-volume production and susceptibility to
disease limit their availability.
~ The Trinatarios, hybrids of Criollos and Foraseteros, make up less than five percent
of cocoa bean production and have the fruity qualities of Criollos and the earthy
flavors as well as the heartiness of Forastero beans. Most cocoas are blends of bulk
amounts of Forastero beans, which provide full base notes and small amounts of
flavor beans for fruity top notes.

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149

Science of Baking Cocoa Madness

Moist Cocoa Cake

3/4 CUP COCOA POWDER OF CHOICE


3 TEASPOONS ESPRESSO POWDER
1 1/2 CUPS BOILING WATER
1 1/2 STICKS (3/4 CUP) UNSALTED
BUTTER, SOFTENED
2 1/2 CUPS SUGAR
3 EGGS
1 1/4 CUPS LESS 2 CUPS ALL PURPOSE
FLOUR
1 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
3/4 TEASPOON SALT
3/4 CUP BUTTERMILK
1 TABLESPOON VANILLA EXTRACT
Preheat oven to 350F.
Grease and flour three, 8 inch round
cake pans.
Whisk together cocoa, espresso powder, and boiling water, and set aside to
cool to room temperature.
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar
at medium-high speed for 4 minutes
until light colored and fluffy.
Meanwhile, add the flour, baking soda,
and salt in a separate bowl.
In another bowl, stir together buttermilk and vanilla.
Add eggs one at a time to butter mixture, and beat for 30 seconds after each
addition; scrape down and beat for an
additional 30 seconds.
Add flour mixture, and stir to combine.
Add buttermilk mixture, and stir to
blend.
Fold in cocoa mixture, and stir until
well combined.
Pour into pans and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into
the middle comes out with a moist
crumb or 2.
Cool 10 minutes in pan, and then
turn out to a cooling rack to cool
completely.
Cake Central Magazine is not responsible
for the outcome of any attempt to create or
replicate any of the Cake Central techniques,
cakes, projects or recipes. Desired results
may not be achieved due to variations in
ingredients, cooking temperatures, tools,
techniques, typographical errors or omissions,
or personal skill level.

150

cake central magazine

From Bean to Powder


To achieve the complex chocolate essence, cocoa beans must go through a series of
steps in order to eliminate astringent flavors and develop desirable undertones.
1) The first step is fermentation, after harvest, of the broken-up pods, either under
banana leaves or in fermentation boxes. During this stage, the pulp of the fruit
ferments and the resulting acetic acid leaches into the seeds and transforms the
internal contents. This prepares the seeds internal chemistry for flavor development that occurs in the roasting process.
2) The beans are spread out on a flat surface in the sun to dry for several days. This
step reduces their moisture level to about seven percent and makes them resistant to spoilage. The beans are then packaged and shipped to manufacturers for
roasting.
3) Before roasting, the flavor of the beans is quite acidic and underdeveloped; the
roasting process eliminates many volatile acids and alters various flavor precursors, transforming them into characteristic chocolate flavors.
4) Once the cocoa beans are roasted and the outer shells are removed, the cocoa
nibs can be ground into cocoa liquor.
5) Cocoa powder is made when the cocoa liquor is pressed to remove some of the
liquors fat, cocoa butter. The cake that remains when the desired amount of cocoa
butter is removed is then ground into cocoa powder.
Cocoa powder at this stage is in its natural state and remains quite acidic (around pH
5), pungent, bitter, and light in color. Cocoa powder may also be dutched in which
an alkali solution, such as potassium carbonate, is applied to the cocoa either as a nib,
liquor, or to the final powder itself. The alkalization of the cocoa raises the pH of the
solution to neutral or alkaline (pH 8); this dutch processed cocoa is darker due to the
conversion of bitter phenolic compounds into flavorless dark pigments. Whats more,
when some of the harsher notes are removed from the natural cocoa through alkalization, some claim the resulting cocoa is more distinctly chocolatey.
Cocoa Experiment
I decided to take a look at eight super market and gourmet cocoa powders in order
to determine whether or not the acidity of natural cocoa or the alkalinity of dutched
cocoa affected the flavor and texture of a cocoa-based chocolate cake and if there was
a distinguishable preference of one over the other. I also wanted to examine whether
it made a difference if I used high-quality expensive cocoa powders or their less costly
counterparts. The natural cocoa powders that I chose were Hersheys Unsweetened
Natural Cocoa, Dagoba, Holy Kakow, and Sharffen Berger. The dutch processed
cocoas were Frontier, Valrhona, and Pernigotti, as well as SaCo which is a blend of
dutched and natural cocoa powders.
The first difference that I noticed among the cocoas was their appearance; the natural
cocoas were generally a pale golden brown color, whereas the alkalized cocoa powders varied from dark brown to a rich reddish brown color. The texture of the cocoa
powders was quite different as well. Many of the cocoas were dry and chalky in appearance with clumpy aggregates, but the Valrhona and Pernigotti cocoa powders
were velvety, almost silky textured. This may be testament to the fine grind of the
cocoa, as well as the fact that these cocoas contain a greater percentage of fat than
many cocoa powders.
The aroma of the powders varied as well. The natural cocoas had a sharp, acidic smell
in general; this smell was mellower and more rounded out in the Sharffen Berger
than the other natural powders, but was more pronounced than in the dutched
cocoas. The dutch processed cocoas varied more amongst each other. The Saco
powder had an unpleasant chemical odor and was lacking a true chocolate smell.
The Frontier powder strangely reminded me of chocolate mint. The Valrhona cocoa
powder had a lovely, fruity dark chocolate smell, while the Pernigotti had a rich
chocolate aroma with wonderful vanilla notes.
In cake batter form, the natural cocoas paled in both color and flavor to the dutched
powders. It seemed that if I had my eyes closed, the cake batters made with natural
cocoa would almost entirely be lacking chocolate essence. In contrast, the batters
made with the alkalized powders were decidedly fragrant with chocolate and dark
in color. As the cakes baked, they generally were consistent in baking pattern and

Science of Baking Cocoa Madness

structure, except the Holy Kakow cake bubbled from the outer edge toward the
middle as the baking soda reacted with this, apparently, strongly acidic cocoa. The
cakes all finished baking at a similar time, which was surprising to me since acidic
batters are known to set faster than alkaline cake batters. The recipe I used called
for natural cocoa powder, and I expected there to be vast differences amongst the
cakes since the two types of cocoas are not generally considered interchangeable in
baking. In fact, the cakes were generally similar in structure and texture, only the Holy
Kakow being slightly more open and spongy. A natural cocoa powder, such as this,
would work well in a red velvet cake in which an acidic profile is necessary for the
cakes chemical balance.
It was the taste of the chocolate cakes that truly distinguished one cocoa powder
from the other. In my opinion, the Pernigotti cocoa powder was the clear winner. The
cake made with this powder had a rich, rounded chocolate flavor that filled the entire
mouth. Not only was the flavor lovely, but this cake had a beautiful dark chocolate
color and moist, fudgy quality to it.
In second place was the Sharffen Berger cocoa powder cake. This was a distinctly
different cake, but it was still quite pleasant. The cake made from this cocoa reminded
me of milk chocolate or hot cocoa; the kind of cake a child would adore. At nearly $27
per pound (the most expensive of the cocoa powders), I dont know that I would make
my three-year-old a cake with this cocoa powder, but if someone else were paying for
it this would be my choice for a mild chocolate cake.
At less than one-quarter the price of the Scharffen Berger, the Hersheys Natural
Cocoa yielded a cake with a similarly nice mild flavor, yet it lacked some of the depth
of the Scharffen Berger cocoa powder.
The Valrhona cocoa, highly touted by some, resulted in a cake that seemed very
fruity and one-dimensional to me, hitting the high notes but not the fullness of the
chocolate bouquet.
The cakes made from the Holy Kakow and Dagoba cocoas were entirely flat and
bland, while the Frontier tasted of baking soda, and the Sacopowder cake had an
awful chemical taste to it.
I was surprised by the dramatic differences among the cocoa powders and what variation in flavor they produced in the resulting cakes. It was also interesting to observe
that a recipe developed for one type of cocoa (natural in this case) could also produce
a wonderful cake using another style of cocoa. Both natural and dutched cocoas resulted in cakes that were well structured, textured, and delicious. It seems that it was
the quality of the cocoa, be it natural or ditched, that resulted in a cake that was both
flavorful and aromatic, and its interesting that you can vary the chocolate profile of a
cake by switching cocoa styles. With great versatility in chemistry and flavor available
in cocoa powders, there is an entire world of chocolate wonderfulness to be explored.
May you too be inspired to evaluate new brands and styles of cocoa in order to find
the ones that are right for you.

cake central magazine

151

Living with a Cake Maker

By an anonymous husband

e took a wedding cake to Los


Angeles this month. It was our first
destination cake, the first time flying
with a cake, and the first time Ive ever been panic
stricken at 10,000 feet. Flying is flat out scary these
days, and for some reason, every time I go into an
airport Im all but strip searched for something
illegal. Needless to say, I was worried when we
rolled into an airport with a three-tiered cake and
decorations in two unmarked cardboard boxes.
Wed known about the cake for over a year, and
Id been dreading this day because my wife had
no intention of making the cake in Los Angeles. I
pleaded with her to make this occasion easier on
us and bake the cake there a day or two before
the wedding. I tried bribing her with new tools
and offered to give her a fancy, cake makers
shopping spree. She didnt budge, because shes
an artist and her kitchen is where she is most
comfortable. My wife was completely set on
making the cake in our hometown, and then we
were going to fly with the cake as our carry on.
Usually, the husband of a cake maker would be

152

cake central magazine

panic stricken for an hour or two on the day when


a wedding cake is delivered, but with a destination cake, its a full day of ridiculousness.
Fishing the cake out of my wifes kitchen was a
breeze, and the cake looked great. She had two
boxes set up for the cake to be transported, and
luckily it was a smooth ride all the way to the airport. When we checked in at the ticket counter, the
attendant didnt ask about the cake, and we didnt
draw any attention to it. It was almost too easy. We
checked our bags, and then I saw the army men,
in green uniforms, holding assault rifles. Whats in
the boxes? asked the officer checking the identification cards. My wife told him it was cake, and we
slipped passed the second checkpoint no problem.
The army men started to stare at us as we neared
the x-ray machines and the metal detectors.
We took off our shoes, and as I properly walked
through the metal detector, I was pulled aside
with the cake. My wife tried to step in and speak
for me because I was basically inaudible from fear.
I opened up the box, they saw it was cake, and
they let us through no problem. They didnt need

a sample of the cake, and they didnt make us eat a


slice of it to see if it was poison.
We got to the gate, and people everywhere were
watching my wife and me with our suspicious,
unmarked boxes. Our flight was called over the
loud speaker, and we waited with our boxes as
the first class flyers took their seats. We walked
onto the plane and strolled past the first class
flyers. The first class flyers faces were priceless;
they looked very disappointed because they paid
an extra $100 to have a relaxing flight and not
a flight where they would be looking over their
shoulders the entire time, wondering what was
in the mysterious boxes. I started to relax after we
got into the air and took a peek at the cakes, and
the cakes and decorations were in one piece.
We got the cakes off the plane and to the wedding,
and everything went better than expected. The
wedding was a blast, it was Mexican-themed and
the festivities and food were some of the finest
weve experienced as wedding attending connoisseurs. We danced a little, we played a little, and
everyone at the wedding loved the cake.

cake makers
ALABAMA

MICHIGAN

Couture Cakes
Hunstville, AL
pg. 54, 55

Carol Lowe
Auburn Hills, MI
pg. 87

CALIFORNIA

Create a Cake
Kimball, MI
pg. 98, 99

Bon Bon
Huntington Beach, CA
bonboncake.com
pg. 90, 91
Calico Cake Shop
Bueno Park, CA
calicocakeshop.com

Sweet Nothings
Lincoln Park, MI
sweetnothingsfinecakesanddesserts.
com
pg. 63

Crazy Cake Company


Davis, CA
crazycakecompany.com
pg. 132

Sugar Delites
Manistee, MI
sugardelites.com
pg. 137

Helen Swarts
Bakersfield, CA
pg. 138

MINNESOTA

Lulus Sweet Art


San Diego, CA
lulusweetart.com
pg. 60, 61
Patisserie Angelica
Sebastopol, CA
patisserieangelica.com
pg. 139
Seon Young Jeong
Los Angeles, CA
pg. 58, 59
COLORADO

Cathy Stone
Dolores, CO
pg. 102
FLORIDA

Bake Me a Cake
Orlando, FL
bakemeacake.net
pg. 104,105,145-147
GEORGIA

Highland Bakery
highlandbakery.com
Atlanta, GA
pg. 56, 57
INDIANA

A Couple of Sweet Things


Indianapolis, IN
pg. 80
KANSAS

Roberta Graham
Harper, KS
pg. 76, 77
Sugar Creations
Savonburg, KS
sugarcreations.com
pg. 103
LOUISIANA

Elizabeth Dickson
Bossier City, LA
pg. 72, 73
MASSACHUSETS

Michelle Goldberg
Newton, MA
pg. 22, 23

Christina Meisner
Bloomington, MN
pg. 93
MISSOURI

Carter Holton
Kansas City, MO
pg. 84, 85
Edith Hall
Hallsville, MO
cakeswiththepersonaltouchbyedithhall.blogspot.com
pg. 78, 79
Rachel Snider
Halfway, MO
pg. 100
NEVADA

Flora Agha Babyan


Las Vegas, NV
artandappetite.com
pg. 50 - 53
Jene Nato (Rylan Ty)
Las Vegas, NV
pg. 20, 21, 112
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Jacques Fine European Pastries


Suncook, NH
jacquespastries.com
pg. 25, 26, 134,135
NEW Jersey

Anne Heap
pinkcakebox.com
pg. 115 - 120
NEW MEXICO

ABC Cakeshop
Albuquerque, MN
abccakes.com
pg. 29, 30
Cakes by Design
Farmington, NM
cakesbydesign.com
pg. 82, 83
Treehouse Pastry Shop
Santa Fe, NM
treehousepastry.com
pg. 31

cake makers
CakeBoss

www.cakeboss.com

NEW YORK

TEXAS

Connie Ditommaso
Poughkeepsie, NY
pg. 70, 71

3 Brothers Bakery
Houston, TX
3brothersbakery.com
pg. 62

Michael Guasta
West Babylon, NY
pg. 69
Ron Ben - Israel Cakes
New York, NY
weddingcakes.com
pg. 131
OKLAHOMA

Are you charging


enough for your cakes?

Gypsy Cakes Edible Art Boutique


Edmond, OK
gypsycakes.net
pg. 101
Richard Parker
Edmond, OK
pg. 94
Robin Vanhoozer
Newcastle, OK
cakedesignsbyrobin.com
pg. 107
Wedding Cakes by Kim Payne
Cheyenne, OK
weddingcakesbykimpayne.com
pg. 95
PENNSYLVANIA

The Couture Cakery


Camp Hill, PA
couturecakery.net
pg. 17, 18
RHODE ISLAND

Sin Desserts
Providence, RI
eatwicked.com
pg. 133, 136

Alice Cosani
Sugar Land, TX
pg. 68
Cakes by Gina
Houston, TX
cakesbyginahouston.com
pg. 64, 65, 106
Cake Craft Shoppe
Sugar Land, TX
cakecraftshoppe.com
pg. 66, 67
Dawn Parrot
Houston, TX
iceddreamscakes.com
pg. 96, 97
Frosted Art
Dallas, TX
frostedart.com
pg. 86
Kelli Watkins
Murphy, TX
pg. 108
Luckey Cakes
Fort Worth, TX
luckeycakes.com
pg. 88, 89
Out of this World Cakes
Spring, TX
pg. 92
WASHINGTON

Lucinda Larson
Maple Valley, WA
theicingdiva.com
pg. 41- 44
The Peoples Cake
Seattle, WA
thepeoplescake.com
pg. 24
WISCONSON

Hidden Cafe
Mukwonago, WI
hiddencafe-kaths.com
pg. 81
INTERNATIONAL

Branka Jovanovic
Serbia
pg. 109, 110

Essential software for


your cake business.
calculate costs | save recipes
shopping lists | record expenses
invoicing | and so much more!

Mindy Garcia
Ontario, Canada
pg. 74, 75
Tessa Uitvlugt
Veendam, Netherlands
pg. 19

supply shops
CALIFORNIA

Calico Cake Shop


7321 Orangethorpe Avenue
Buena Park, CA
calicocakeshop.com
Supplies, Classes
Creative Cakes and More
4930 E Ashlan Avenue, Suite 107
Fresno, CA
fresnocreativecakes.com
Supplies, Classes
NY Cake West
10665 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
nycake.com
Supplies,Instructional materials, Classes
Ro Zs Sweet Art Studio
277 South Rancho Santa Fe Road
San Marcos, CA
rozsweetartstudio.com
Supplies, Classes
Spun Sugar
1611 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA
spunsugar.com
Supplies, Classes
GEORGIA

International Sugar Art Collection


6060 McDonough Drive, Suite F
Norcross, GA
nicholaslodge.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
INDIANA

Country Kitchen Sweet Art


4621 Speedway Drive
Fort Wayne, IN
countrykitchensa.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
MASSACHUSETTS

Pisky Pixie Cakecrafts


25 Blackpoint Road
Webster, MA
piskypixie.com
Supplies, Instructional materials
NEW YORK

Global Sugar Art


28 Plattsburgh Plaza
Plattsburg, NY
globalsugarart.com
Supplies, Instructional materials
Kerekes Bakery and Restaurant
Equipment
6103 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
bakedeco.com
Supplies, Instructional materials
NY Cake & Baking Distributor
56 West 22nd Street
New York, NY
nycake.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
NEW JERSEY

Sweet N Fancy Emporium


1 South Avenue East
Cranford, NJ
sweetnfancy.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
TEXAS

Cake Carousel
1002 North Central Expressway
Richardson, TX
cakecarousel.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes

Cake Craft Shoppe


3530 Highway 6
Sugar Land, TX
cakecraftshoppe.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
Elizabeths Cake Supplies
112 South Ector Drive
Euless, TX
elizabethscakesupplies.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
VIRGINIA

Icing Images, LLC


161Properity Drive, Suite 106
Winchester, VA
icingimages.com
Supplies
CANADA

Flour Confections
1750 Plummer St., Unit 19
Pickering, ON Canada
flourconfections.ca
Supplies, Instructional DVDs, Classes
Geraldines Creative Cutters
561 Edward Avenue, Unit 2
Richmond Hill, ON Canada
creativecutters.com
Supplies, Classes, Tutorials
Online Retail:

Beryls Cake Decorating and Pastry


Supplies
beryls.com
Supplies, Instructional materials
CakeBoss
cakeboss.com
Supplies, Tutorials
Cake Carousel
cakecarousel.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
Cake Craft Shoppe
cakecraftshoppe.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
Country Kitchen Sweet Art
countrykitchensa.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
Designer Stencils
designerstencils.com
Supplies, Tutorials
Geraldines Creative Cutters
creativecutters.com
Supplies, Classes, Tutorials
Global Sugar Art
globalsugarart.com
Supplies, Instructional materials
Icing Images
icingimages.com
Supplies
International Sugar Art Collection
nicholaslodge.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
Kerekes Bakery and Restaurant Equipment
bakedeco.com
Supplies, Instructional materials
NY Cake & Baking Distributor
nycake.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes
Spun Sugar
spunsugar.com
Supplies, Classes
Sweet N Fancy Emporium
sweetnfancy.com
Supplies, Instructional materials, Classes

Create this beautiful


lace cake with our
exclusive line of
Earlene's Enhanced
Lace Molds
Visit marvelousmolds.com
or earlenescakes.com
for inspirational
instructions, tools &
materials.

buying guide
Making Life Sweeter Since 1976
One stop shopping for all your
cake and cookie decorating and
candy making supplies.

Wish List

Marvelous Molds Ruth Mold makeyourownmolds.com/marvelous.com


Cake Central Mug shop.cakecentral.com
Americolor Gourmet Writer globalsugarart.com
Polymer Clay Express 1 Barrel Food Extruder polymerclayexpress.com
Make Your Own Molds Starter Ki makeyourownmolds.com
Subscription to Cake Central Magazine cakecentral.com/magazine
White Marble Pastry Board surlatable.com
Icing Images Gold Label Printing System icingimages.com
Agbay agbayproducts.com
Airbrush System creativecutters.com
Infared Pistol Grip Thermometer shopchefrubber.com
Buttercream Orchids Tutorial

globalsugarart.com

The largest retail supply


store in North Texas
Known for our professional
approach in teaching Cake
Decorating classes

Icing Images Tutorial

icingimages.com
Bonus Tutorial

Baby Shower Invitation tinysprints.com/holiday

Newly added 3 segment PME


Professional Diploma Classes to
earn a Masters Certificate
Year round classes from Basic to
Advanced and beyond
Specialty classes with guest
teachers throughout the year

Call 877-814-6670 or
972-690-4628 or come by
1002 N. Central Expy. Suite 501
Richardson, TX 75080
Shop online at

156 cake central magazine


www.cakecarousel.com

Cake Central Magazine is published monthly by Cake Central Media Corp., 1145 Broadway
Suite 1010, Tacoma, WA 98402 U.S.A. Subscriptions: 12 issues per year, $60.00US, Canada:
$110.00US (includes GST and HST where applicable), foreign: $110.00US. Allow up to 8 weeks
for delivery. Application to mail at periodicals postage prices is pending at Tacoma, WA 98402.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Cake Central Magazine, 1145 Broadway Suite
1010, Tacoma, WA 98402 U.S.A. Volume 1, Issue 7 printed in the U.S.A.

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